Assessment of Radiography Service Utilisation Among Rural Dwellers in Benue State, North Central Nigeria

Access to diagnostic radiography services is highly inequitable between urban and rural populations in Nigerian states, and understanding the patterns and determinants of radiography service utilisation among rural dwellers in Benue State, North Central Nigeria, has important implications for health systems planning and equitable service delivery policy. This study assesses radiography service utilisation rates and identifies the barriers experienced by rural dwellers in accessing diagnostic imaging services in Benue State. A descriptive cross-sectional survey is conducted among 320 adult respondents from six rural communities across Makurdi, Gboko, and Katsina-Ala local government areas. A structured questionnaire assesses prior radiography service use, reasons for service non-use, travel distance to the nearest functional imaging facility, financial costs, referral experience, and awareness of available services. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression identifying predictors of non-utilisation are computed in SPSS. Literature from North Central Nigerian rural health access studies identifies distance to imaging facility exceeding 20 kilometres and direct examination cost as the two strongest barriers to radiography utilisation among rural populations. The Andersen Behavioural Model of Health Services Use provides the analytical framework for predicting utilisation. Findings are expected to reveal utilisation rates below 25 percent among rural respondents. Recommendations address mobile radiography unit deployment, community health extension worker referral education, and public financing of rural radiography access in Benue State. Keywords: radiography service utilisation, rural access, Benue State, North Central Nigeria, health equity.