The Factors Associated with Lack of Access to Health Facilities among Persons of Concern (PoC) during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria

Abstract

 Persons of Concern (PoC) are people displaced because of natural disasters or conflicts
and violence, and they include refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons
(IDPs), and returnees. Nigeria is one of the major destinations of PoC in Africa. PoC
should have the same rights in any sector, including health access in their destination.
However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, about 19% of households faced a lack of
access to health facilities in Nigeria. This study examined the factors related to the lack
of access to health facilities among PoCs in Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic
in 2020. Methods: Secondary data from the UNHCR survey, which was conducted in
July 2020 among 3,222 households categorized as PoC, was used. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were used to assess the factors with the aid of STATA 17
software. Results: Factors such as state of residence, population status, marital status,
and gender of household heads were found to have a significant correlation with the
lack of access to health facilities in Nigeria. Conclusion: The UNHCR, the Nigerian
government, and other stakeholders must work together to ensure all PoCs can access
health facilities easily, especially during outbreaks of pandemics and other disasters.