Addressing security threats affecting primary healthcare service delivery and uptake in Nigeria
Prince Agwu
A B C * and Obinna Onwujekwe A D
A Health Policy Research Group, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.
B Department of Social Work, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria.
C School of Education and Social Work, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland.
D Department of Health Administration and Management, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu, Nigeria.
Australian Journal of Primary Health 29(4) 327-331 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY22209
Submitted: 22 September 2022 Accepted: 18 December 2022 Published: 18 January 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of La Trobe University
Abstract
Background: Security of health facilities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is of vital importance in ensuring that health care can be provided in safe conditions. There is paucity of literature on the issue of threats to the personal safety of primary healthcare (PHC) providers and service users in Nigeria and what should be done. Thus, the current study seeks to fill this gap.
Method: Key-informant interviews with 12 health workers and non-participant observations were utilised for data collection in Enugu, Nigeria. Their responses were analysed using a descriptive qualitative analysis approach in structuring narratives in themes.
Result: There is lack of vital security infrastructure across the health facilities, and we recorded reports on armed robbery attacks, theft of drugs and other items, including a case of a stolen newborn. These findings are structured in three themes that reveal experienced threats in PHC facilities, their implications on health service delivery, and responses that can be taken to make PHC facilities safe.
Conclusion: Security challenges constrain both access and provision of essential and affordable healthcare services at the primary healthcare level in Enugu, Nigeria.
Keywords: Health-in-all-Policies, HiAP, insecurity, physical safety, security, universal health coverage, UHC, urban health.
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