Determinants of Intention to Utilize Tertiary Healthcare Services in a South-Western Nigerian State

Background: Specialised health services are a crucial component of universal health coverage. Underutilization of these services undermines equitable access to adequate care and good health outcomes. This study aimed to identify the determinants of intention to utilize healthcare services at University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH) in Ondo West, Nigeria. Methods: This cross-sectional study used an interviewer-administered questionnaire, adapted from the Anderson and Newman framework for healthcare service utilization, to obtain information from 500 adults. Determinants of intention to utilize healthcare services were identified using binary logistic regression. Statistical significance level was set at 5%. Results: Mean age was 34.1 ± 13.0 years and 58.2% were males. Only 34.2% intended utilizing healthcare services at UNIMEDTH if needed. Respondents who agreed that alternative healthcare services are closer to where they live (aOR: 2.877, 95% CI: 1.513 – 5.469), disagreed that orthodox healthcare services are safer than alternative healthcare services (aOR: 2.650, 95% CI: 1.191 – 5.894), disagreed that the healthcare providers at UNIMEDTH are polite (aOR: 2.879, 95% CI: 1.228 – 6.752), disagreed that healthcare services at UNIMEDTH were affordable (aOR: 2.305, 95% CI: 1.149 – 4.624), and had ever been to UNIMEDTH (aOR: 2.253, 95% CI: 1.262 – 4.022) were significantly more likely not intending to utilize healthcare services at UNIMEDTH. Conclusion: Most of the study participants do not intend to utilize healthcare services at UNIMEDTH if needed. A comprehensive approach combining public education, community engagement, and policy interventions aimed at improving perceptions of affordability and accessibility is necessary to effectively address this challenge.