A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF THE AVAILABILITY OF RADIOLOGY SERVICES IN HEALTH FACILITIES IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT: This study was carried out to examine the availability, accessibility, and affordability of radiology services in health facilities in Nigeria using selected public hospitals in Yobe State as case study. Specifically, the study aimed at assessing the availability, accessibility and affordability of radiologic services in health facilities, ascertaining the benefits of radiologic services in health facilities, and assessing of Radiographic services equipment procurement and management. The study was anchored by Health Belief Model. The study employed the survey descriptive research design. Questionnaire was used for data collection which was raised against a four Likert scale of Strongly Agree(SA), Agree(A), Strongly Disagree(SD) and Disagree(D), and frequency tables. A total of 86 respondents were conveniently selected as sample size comprising of medical staff and patients in the selected hospitals Yobe State. Out of the 86 respondents, 78 responses were received and 71 validated from the survey. From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that radiologic services available in hospitals in Yobe State are accessible, but the extent to which they are accessible is low. And the available and accessible radiologic services in health facilities in Yobe State are not affordable. The study therefore recommends that the cost of radiology services should be reconsidered and more funding should be provided for health in the budget, and there is a need to ensure that patients have easy access toradiographic related health care by ensuring that health personnel are available when needed. to mention but a few.