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Factors Affecting Utilization of Healthcare Services Among Nasahablood and Ayah 4 Internally Displaced Persons in Hargeisa, Somaliland

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Background Globally, 4.5 billion people lack full coverage of essential health services, and displaced populations are disproportionately affected. Understanding the specific barriers they face is critical for designing effective health interventions. Objective To identify the factors affecting the utilization of healthcare services among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Hargeisa, Somaliland. Design A community‐based, cross‐sectional study. Site The Nasahablood and Ayah 4 IDP camps in Hargeisa, Somaliland. Participants A proportionate stratified sample of 271 households. Main Measures The primary outcome was the level of healthcare utilization (low, moderate, and high), analyzed using ordinal logistic regression (OLR). Predictor variables included accessibility, affordability, and socioeconomic factors. Results A majority of respondents (73.5%) reported low healthcare utilization, with only 14.4% reporting high utilization. OLR revealed that affordability was the most significant barrier to care ( p < 0.001), followed by physical accessibility ( p = 0.025). Both factors were associated with substantially lower odds of health service utilization. Additionally, after controlling for other variables, gender emerged as a significant predictor, with male respondents having lower odds of utilizing healthcare services compared to female respondents ( p = 0.030). Conclusion Healthcare underutilization in these IDP camps is primarily driven by powerful structural barriers of cost and distance, compounded by gender‐specific factors. We recommend targeted interventions, including fee‐exemption policies and mobile health clinics, to address these critical gaps and improve health outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Source: Public Health Challenges

DOI: 10.1002/puh2.70140

Authors: Ayan Hussein Korse, Vitalis Okoth Odero, Mohamed Said Hassan, Hana Mahdi Dahir, Khadar Abdi Ibrahim

Institution: Amoud University

Language: English

Topic: Health and Conflict Studies

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being, No poverty, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,650