Determinants of access and utilization of health care facilities among women in South Africa: The case of the Eastern Cape province

Abstract

Access to healthcare is a requirement for human well-being. However, women who seek medical care when needed are still confronted with significant access barriers. This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the access and utilization of healthcare facilities among female household heads in South Africa, particularly in the Eastern Cape Province. The study used socio-economic and socio-demographic characteristics such as age, level of education, monthly household income, area of residence, employment status and medical aid membership to measure the relationship between the types of healthcare facilities women utilize, the travelling time to healthcare facilities and the means of transport they use to access healthcare facilities in the Eastern Cape Province.