Implications of COVID-19 on Healthcare Seeking Behaviour of the Rural-Poor in Ido-Ekiti and Environs. Nigeria

Abstract Background: Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is raising serious concerns about effective pandemic response and preparedness in the context of background fragile health systems and especially in developing countries like Nigeria with alarming poverty indices. Aim: The study aimed to reveal the implication of the COVID-19 pandemic on the healthcare seeking behaviour of households experiencing (extreme) poverty and to also infer factors that influence the health-seeking behaviour in the areaMethods: A retrospective and comparative study using secondary data from the major tertiary healthcare centre which serves Ido-Ekiti; a town in southwestern Nigeria and its environs was utilized in this study; it comprises data before and during the pandemic.Results: There was general decline across the clinics (90%) with some clinics having up to 55%, 33% reduction in visits during COVID-19. There was a total 13% drop across board from January to December of 2020 as compared with 2019.Conclusion and Recommendation: The study suggests better enlightenment campaign and more investment in the healthcare sector especially in the rural areas. The conflict theory was adopted.