Challenges in Primary Health Care Delivery and Health-Seeking Behaviour: Implementing Social Behavioural Strategies in Awka, Nigeria

Egwuaba-Edward Ukwubile; Sunday Blessing Adeyi

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijcems.20251105.13

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Challenges in Primary Health Care Delivery and Health-Seeking Behaviour: Implementing Social Behavioural Strategies in Awka, Nigeria

Egwuaba-Edward Ukwubile^*

, Sunday Blessing Adeyi

Published in International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences (Volume 11, Issue 5)

Received: 5 May 2025 Accepted: 25 August 2025 Published: 26 September 2025

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Abstract

Primary health care (PHC) is essential for providing equitable and accessible health services, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. However, in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, significant challenges impede the effective delivery of PHC services. This paper examines these challenges, focusing on systemic and socio-behavioural barriers that undermine health outcomes in the region. The study identifies key issues such as inadequate infrastructure, insufficient funding, a critical shortage of skilled health personnel, and persistent logistical problems in the supply and distribution of essential medical resources. Additionally, it highlights the complex social and behavioural factors rooted in cultural beliefs, low health literacy, and community distrust that contribute to poor health-seeking behaviours and resistance to public health interventions. The interplay between these operational and socio-cultural challenges results in suboptimal delivery of PHC services, particularly in areas such as preventive care, maternal and child health, and chronic disease management. To address these issues, the paper advocates for the development and implementation of targeted social and behavioural strategies that are culturally sensitive and community-driven. By tackling both the systemic inefficiencies and the socio-behavioural obstacles, there is potential to significantly improve health outcomes in Awka. This study contributes to the broader discourse on healthcare delivery in Nigeria, offering insights that could inform policy development and programme implementation in similar contexts across the country and beyond.

Published in	International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences (Volume 11, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijcems.20251105.13
Page(s)	77-81
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Challenges, Health-Seeking Behaviour, Implementing, Primary Healthcare delivery, Social Behavioural Strategies

References

[1]	Abimbola, S., Okoli, U., Olubajo, O., Abdullahi, M. J., & Pate, M. A. (2012). The Midwives Service Scheme in Nigeria. PLOS Medicine, 9(5), e1001211. https://doi.org/10.1371/ournal.pmed.1001211
[2]	Adeloye, D., David, R. A., Olaogun, A. A., Auta, A., Adesokan, A., Gadanya, M.,... & Ayo, C. K. (2017). Health Workforce and Governance: The Crisis in Nigeria. Human Resources for Health, 15(1), 32. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12960-017-0205-4
[3]	Bandura, A. (1986). Social Foundations of Thought and Action: A Social Cognitive Theory. Prentice-Hall.
[4]	Egwuaba, E. U. & Sunday, B. A. (2023). Reachability and Uptake of Modern Contraceptives among Spouses in Kogi State, North-Central, Nigeria. Global Online Journal of Academic Research (GOJAR), 2, (3). Pp. 7-32.
[5]	Egwuaba, E. U. & Nnatuanya, F. O. (2021). Covid-19 Pandemic and Health-Seeking Behaviour among Awka-South Residents, Anambra State, South-East, Nigeria. SAU Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 1 (1), Pp. 16-25.
[6]	Egwuaba, E. U. & Olisa, A. L. (2021). Health-Seeking Behaviour among Care-givers for Febrile Illness/Common Fever in Under-Five Children in Ukwullu, Anambra State, Nigeria. SAU Journal of Management and Social Sciences, 6 (1), Pp. 155-166.
[7]	Egwuaba, E. U. (2019). Premarital Sexual Behaviour Practices and It’s Health Hazards among Students of Federal University Lokoja, Nigeria. Sokoto Journal of the Social Sciences. 1(1), Pp. 33-43.
[8]	Egwuaba, E. U. (2018). Flooding and It’s Health Hazard/Implication in Nigeria. Kogi Journal of Politics (KOGJOPOL), 3 (1), Pp. 121-140.
[9]	Lagos Health Review. (2022). City Health Forums: Lessons Learned. National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). (2023). Workforce and Infrastructure Report.
[10]	Transparency International. (2023). Corruption in Health Sector Report.
[11]	World Health Organization (1978). Declaration of Alma-Ata international conference on primary health care, Alma-Ata, USSR, 6-12 September 1978. 1978.
[12]	World Health Organization (2023). Primary Health Care. Geneva.

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APA Style

Ukwubile, E., Adeyi, S. B. (2025). Challenges in Primary Health Care Delivery and Health-Seeking Behaviour: Implementing Social Behavioural Strategies in Awka, Nigeria. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences, 11(5), 77-81. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcems.20251105.13

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ACS Style

Ukwubile, E.; Adeyi, S. B. Challenges in Primary Health Care Delivery and Health-Seeking Behaviour: Implementing Social Behavioural Strategies in Awka, Nigeria. Int. J. Clin. Exp. Med. Sci. 2025, 11(5), 77-81. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcems.20251105.13

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AMA Style

Ukwubile E, Adeyi SB. Challenges in Primary Health Care Delivery and Health-Seeking Behaviour: Implementing Social Behavioural Strategies in Awka, Nigeria. Int J Clin Exp Med Sci. 2025;11(5):77-81. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcems.20251105.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijcems.20251105.13,
  author = {Egwuaba-Edward Ukwubile and Sunday Blessing Adeyi},
  title = {Challenges in Primary Health Care Delivery and Health-Seeking Behaviour: Implementing Social Behavioural Strategies in Awka, Nigeria
},
  journal = {International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences},
  volume = {11},
  number = {5},
  pages = {77-81},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijcems.20251105.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcems.20251105.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijcems.20251105.13},
  abstract = {Primary health care (PHC) is essential for providing equitable and accessible health services, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. However, in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, significant challenges impede the effective delivery of PHC services. This paper examines these challenges, focusing on systemic and socio-behavioural barriers that undermine health outcomes in the region. The study identifies key issues such as inadequate infrastructure, insufficient funding, a critical shortage of skilled health personnel, and persistent logistical problems in the supply and distribution of essential medical resources. Additionally, it highlights the complex social and behavioural factors rooted in cultural beliefs, low health literacy, and community distrust that contribute to poor health-seeking behaviours and resistance to public health interventions. The interplay between these operational and socio-cultural challenges results in suboptimal delivery of PHC services, particularly in areas such as preventive care, maternal and child health, and chronic disease management. To address these issues, the paper advocates for the development and implementation of targeted social and behavioural strategies that are culturally sensitive and community-driven. By tackling both the systemic inefficiencies and the socio-behavioural obstacles, there is potential to significantly improve health outcomes in Awka. This study contributes to the broader discourse on healthcare delivery in Nigeria, offering insights that could inform policy development and programme implementation in similar contexts across the country and beyond.
},
 year = {2025}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Challenges in Primary Health Care Delivery and Health-Seeking Behaviour: Implementing Social Behavioural Strategies in Awka, Nigeria

AU  - Egwuaba-Edward Ukwubile
AU  - Sunday Blessing Adeyi
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PY  - 2025
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DO  - 10.11648/j.ijcems.20251105.13
T2  - International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences
JF  - International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences
JO  - International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences
SP  - 77
EP  - 81
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2469-8032
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcems.20251105.13
AB  - Primary health care (PHC) is essential for providing equitable and accessible health services, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. However, in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, significant challenges impede the effective delivery of PHC services. This paper examines these challenges, focusing on systemic and socio-behavioural barriers that undermine health outcomes in the region. The study identifies key issues such as inadequate infrastructure, insufficient funding, a critical shortage of skilled health personnel, and persistent logistical problems in the supply and distribution of essential medical resources. Additionally, it highlights the complex social and behavioural factors rooted in cultural beliefs, low health literacy, and community distrust that contribute to poor health-seeking behaviours and resistance to public health interventions. The interplay between these operational and socio-cultural challenges results in suboptimal delivery of PHC services, particularly in areas such as preventive care, maternal and child health, and chronic disease management. To address these issues, the paper advocates for the development and implementation of targeted social and behavioural strategies that are culturally sensitive and community-driven. By tackling both the systemic inefficiencies and the socio-behavioural obstacles, there is potential to significantly improve health outcomes in Awka. This study contributes to the broader discourse on healthcare delivery in Nigeria, offering insights that could inform policy development and programme implementation in similar contexts across the country and beyond.

VL  - 11
IS  - 5
ER  -

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Author Information

Egwuaba-Edward Ukwubile

Department of Sociology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam, Nigeria

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0004-3893-4201
Sunday Blessing Adeyi

Department of Sociology, Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Nigeria

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0003-4650-2030

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APA Style

Ukwubile, E., Adeyi, S. B. (2025). Challenges in Primary Health Care Delivery and Health-Seeking Behaviour: Implementing Social Behavioural Strategies in Awka, Nigeria. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences, 11(5), 77-81. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcems.20251105.13

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ACS Style

Ukwubile, E.; Adeyi, S. B. Challenges in Primary Health Care Delivery and Health-Seeking Behaviour: Implementing Social Behavioural Strategies in Awka, Nigeria. Int. J. Clin. Exp. Med. Sci. 2025, 11(5), 77-81. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcems.20251105.13

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AMA Style

Ukwubile E, Adeyi SB. Challenges in Primary Health Care Delivery and Health-Seeking Behaviour: Implementing Social Behavioural Strategies in Awka, Nigeria. Int J Clin Exp Med Sci. 2025;11(5):77-81. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcems.20251105.13

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijcems.20251105.13,
  author = {Egwuaba-Edward Ukwubile and Sunday Blessing Adeyi},
  title = {Challenges in Primary Health Care Delivery and Health-Seeking Behaviour: Implementing Social Behavioural Strategies in Awka, Nigeria
},
  journal = {International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences},
  volume = {11},
  number = {5},
  pages = {77-81},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijcems.20251105.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcems.20251105.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijcems.20251105.13},
  abstract = {Primary health care (PHC) is essential for providing equitable and accessible health services, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. However, in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, significant challenges impede the effective delivery of PHC services. This paper examines these challenges, focusing on systemic and socio-behavioural barriers that undermine health outcomes in the region. The study identifies key issues such as inadequate infrastructure, insufficient funding, a critical shortage of skilled health personnel, and persistent logistical problems in the supply and distribution of essential medical resources. Additionally, it highlights the complex social and behavioural factors rooted in cultural beliefs, low health literacy, and community distrust that contribute to poor health-seeking behaviours and resistance to public health interventions. The interplay between these operational and socio-cultural challenges results in suboptimal delivery of PHC services, particularly in areas such as preventive care, maternal and child health, and chronic disease management. To address these issues, the paper advocates for the development and implementation of targeted social and behavioural strategies that are culturally sensitive and community-driven. By tackling both the systemic inefficiencies and the socio-behavioural obstacles, there is potential to significantly improve health outcomes in Awka. This study contributes to the broader discourse on healthcare delivery in Nigeria, offering insights that could inform policy development and programme implementation in similar contexts across the country and beyond.
},
 year = {2025}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Challenges in Primary Health Care Delivery and Health-Seeking Behaviour: Implementing Social Behavioural Strategies in Awka, Nigeria

AU  - Egwuaba-Edward Ukwubile
AU  - Sunday Blessing Adeyi
Y1  - 2025/09/26
PY  - 2025
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcems.20251105.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijcems.20251105.13
T2  - International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences
JF  - International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences
JO  - International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences
SP  - 77
EP  - 81
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2469-8032
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijcems.20251105.13
AB  - Primary health care (PHC) is essential for providing equitable and accessible health services, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria. However, in Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, significant challenges impede the effective delivery of PHC services. This paper examines these challenges, focusing on systemic and socio-behavioural barriers that undermine health outcomes in the region. The study identifies key issues such as inadequate infrastructure, insufficient funding, a critical shortage of skilled health personnel, and persistent logistical problems in the supply and distribution of essential medical resources. Additionally, it highlights the complex social and behavioural factors rooted in cultural beliefs, low health literacy, and community distrust that contribute to poor health-seeking behaviours and resistance to public health interventions. The interplay between these operational and socio-cultural challenges results in suboptimal delivery of PHC services, particularly in areas such as preventive care, maternal and child health, and chronic disease management. To address these issues, the paper advocates for the development and implementation of targeted social and behavioural strategies that are culturally sensitive and community-driven. By tackling both the systemic inefficiencies and the socio-behavioural obstacles, there is potential to significantly improve health outcomes in Awka. This study contributes to the broader discourse on healthcare delivery in Nigeria, offering insights that could inform policy development and programme implementation in similar contexts across the country and beyond.

VL  - 11
IS  - 5
ER  -

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