IGNORANCE OF HEALTH SERVICES AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN ÉQUATEUR PROVINCE, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN MBANDAKA CITY (2024-2025)
Abstract
Introduction
Ignorance of health services remains a major obstacle to improving public health in low-resource settings. In Équateur Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, many households underutilize available health facilities despite their geographic proximity. This study aimed to analyze the socioeconomic, cultural, and institutional factors associated with ignorance of health services among households in Mbandaka city during 2024-2025.
Methods
A mixed methods cross sectional study was conducted among 250 households selected through stratified random sampling across three health zones (Bolenge, Mbandaka, Wangata). Structured questionnaires, semi structured interviews, and focus group discussions were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, chi square tests, and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using SPSS. Thematic analysis was performed for qualitative data.
Results
Of 250 respondents, 82% were aged ≥30 years, 59% were male, and 75% were married. While 100% knew a nearby health facility, only 46% had consulted any health service in the preceding six months. The main reasons for non consultation were cost (80%), poor reception (14%), and distance (6%). Traditional medicine was used by 97% of households, primarily because it was perceived as less expensive (OR=2.0; 95% CI: 1.3–3.0). Lack of essential medicines (61%) and irregular salary payments (100% of health workers) were reported as major institutional failures. Only 59% of households had ever attended a health awareness campaign; radio was the preferred information channel (65%).
Conclusion
Ignorance of health services in Mbandaka is a multidimensional phenomenon driven by financial barriers, cultural preferences for traditional medicine, weak institutional governance, and insufficient community sensitization. Multisectoral interventions—including targeted fee exemptions, improved health worker motivation, culturally adapted communication strategies, and integration of traditional and modern medicine—are urgently needed to improve service utilization and public health outcomes.
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How to cite
Okope Usalo, M. (2026). IGNORANCE OF HEALTH SERVICES AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN ÉQUATEUR PROVINCE, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN MBANDAKA CITY (2024-2025). SDF Journal of Public Health. https://sfoundation.one/articles/sdf-2026-0040-ignorance-of-health-services-among-households-in-equateur-province-dem