Journal of Public Health and Diseases

Vulnerable households in Nigeria face a daunting struggle to access adequate healthcare, underscoring the urgency of understanding the factors that impede their ability to seek and receive the medical attention they need. This study examined the vulnerability status, perceived factors influencing access to health care, and the predictors of vulnerability among vulnerable households in Oshimili South, Delta State. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive survey. Purposive and Simple Random sampling techniques were employed to enrol 349 vulnerable households between April and July 2024. The instrument for data collection was an adapted Household Vulnerability Assessment Form and a self-structured questionnaire on perceived factors influencing access to health care among vulnerable households. The instrument was validated and tested for reliability. Data was analysed using SPSS version 25, and results were presented in tables. The results show that the majority of the respondents were 298 females out of 349, while the age group 30-39 comprises the highest age group, making up 37.2%. The results showed that more than half, 188 (53.9%), were the most vulnerable households. Findings from the study also indicated that lack of transport fare to healthcare facility, gender roles and power dynamics, and high cost of drugs, respectively, were the most perceived socio-economic, cultural/religious and institutional factors influencing access to healthcare among vulnerable households in Oshimili South LGA, Delta State. Lack of transport fare to health care facility (β = −.23, p = .005), Long distance to facility (β = .27, p = .005), Poverty and economic inequality (β = −.21, p = .002), Traditional beliefs and practices (β = −.19, p = .012), Gender roles and power dynamics, (β = .22, p = .035), Religious and spiritual values (β = −.23, p = .027) were statistically significant predictors of vulnerability status. In conclusion, the prevalence of the "Most Vulnerable" status, compounded by socioeconomic, cultural, institutional, and demographic factors, highlights the need for targeted interventions to improve healthcare facilities, service quality, and affordability. To address socio-economic, cultural, and institutional barriers to healthcare, policymakers should focus on reducing poverty, promoting gender equality, subsidising healthcare costs, and enhancing transportation infrastructure to ensure equitable access to healthcare services for vulnerable populations.