A Qualitative Analysis of Cross-border Healthcare Utilisation by Nigerians across the Nigeria-cameroun Border
نویسندگان
چکیده
Background: The border between Nigeria and Cameroun stretches for hundreds of kilometers. The movement of patients from Maiduguri, NE Nigeria into Cameroun’s border hospitals is becoming very popular. This study investigated the categories of people involved in such movement, their healthcare needs in Cameroun and the motivation behind the movement. Methods: In-depth interviews with fifteen participants (patients) who received treatment in Cameroun’s border hospitals and two health workers (doctors) were conducted. The patients were recruited through a snowball sampling technique. Analysis was done through a manual coding of the main themes of the interview which were collated and interpreted. Results: Respondents were predominantly male and aged but cutting across wide socio-economic stratum. Ophthalmic care was the predominant care sought by patients. Perceived higher quality of care in Cameroun which embodies expertise, shorter duration of treatment, quality of drugs, and positive health worker attitude was the main motivation for seeking care. Conclusion: In view of the decaying nature of Nigeria’s healthcare delivery, there is a likelihood of increased patient flows into Cameroun unless current health reforms are concretized. There is the need for formal exchange of patients between border healthcare facilities as a policy measure. Since this study considered only-way movement of patients, the need to examine patient flows into both Nigeria and Cameroun in future studies was highlighted.
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