Barriers to Optimal Health Outcomes: An In-Depth Analysis of Healthcare and Delivery Services in Delta State, Nigeria

This study investigates the barriers to optimal health outcomes: an in-depth analysis of healthcare and delivery Services in Delta State, Nigeria. Quantitative research design was adopted and a sample size of 400 was arrived at from a population of 2,728,800; and these samples made up the number of questionnaires that were distributed; while structural equation modelling technique was used for analyzing the data gathered through structured questionnaire. The empirical analysis showed that healthcare and delivery services also have no significant effect on life expectancy at birth in Delta State; and it was also revealed from the study that healthcare and delivery services have no significant effect on maternal mortality rates in the State. These were attributed to lack of basic healthcare facilities in the Delta State, lack of health personnel, equipment, medical supplies and pharmaceuticals needed for effective service delivery towards improving maternal mortality rates. Based on these findings, the study recommends that efficient health care and service delivery health policies that increase Nigeria's life expectancy must be prioritized by both state governments and households; and lastly, the government should promote the formation of village/ward health development committees, whose duties include assisting the government in the construction of health posts, the maintenance of existing health facilities, the provision of logistics during health campaigns, and the monitoring of health workers' activities at health facilities.