Effects of Banditry on the Accessibility of Health Care Services in Sokoto State, Nigeria

Abstract

Banditry has become a growing concern in Northwest Nigeria, seriously impacting vital social services, especially healthcare. This study looks into how banditry affects the accessibility and use of healthcare services in Sokoto State. The ongoing closure of health facilities, the displacement of medical staff, limited mobility for people, and reduced access to essential services like immunization, maternal care, and disease treatment are all significant issues. The research is grounded in the Sustainable Livelihoods Theory, which views banditry as a factor that undermines human, physical, and social capital, ultimately eroding community resilience and the effectiveness of health systems. A mixed-methods approach was used, gathering survey data from 1,353 respondents across six affected local government areas (LGAs). The quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The findings reveal that banditry is a strong predictor of poor healthcare access, with those affected by banditry being 12 times more likely to experience disruptions in healthcare (Exp(B)=12.29, p<0.001). Factors like the high cost of care (63%), staff shortages, fear of attacks, and long distances to healthcare facilities further complicate access. Many residents turn to traditional medicine (19%) or move to safer areas (36%), highlighting the severe impact on service utilization. The study concludes that banditry significantly undermines health systems by disrupting facilities, workforce availability, supply chains, and community health-seeking behaviors. It suggests enhancing healthcare resilience by improving security for health workers and facilities, along with expanding health services in high-risk communities.