THE EFFECT OF HEALTH CENTRE FACILITY LOCATION ON PATIENT RE-VISIT: A CASE OF SELECTED PRIVATE HEALTH FACILITIES IN NYAMAGANA DISTRICT, MWANZA
Purpose of the Study: This study aimed to examine the effects of health facility accessibility, convenience, and parking availability on patient revisit behavior in Nyamagana District, Tanzania. It sought to identify which facility-related factors most strongly influence patients’ decisions to return for follow-up care and to explore barriers and facilitators affecting continuity of healthcare.
Design/Methodology: A mixed-methods approach was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 120 patients across three district-level private hospitals using structured 5-point Likert scale questionnaires. Qualitative data were gathered from interviews with six hospital administrative officials. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and regression analysis in SPSS version 26, while qualitative data were analyzed through thematic content analysis to provide contextual insights.
Findings: Results indicated that accessibility had the strongest influence on patient revisit (r = .475, β = .423, p < .01), followed by parking availability (r = .467, β = .326, p < .05) and convenience (r = .324, β = .240, p < .05). Patients emphasized challenges such as long travel distances, transport costs, waiting times, and limited operational hours. Hospitals have adopted strategies including referral networks, flexible appointment scheduling, and guidance on affordable transport to enhance patient revisit.
Originality: This study contributes to the limited literature on facility-related determinants of patient revisit in low-resource urban and peri-urban settings in Tanzania, highlighting the combined influence of accessibility, parking, and convenience on continuity of care.
Practical Implications: Healthcare managers and planners can enhance patient revisit rates by improving road access, parking infrastructure, facility convenience, and service scheduling, thus supporting better healthcare utilization.
Social Implications: Improved access and facility planning promote equitable healthcare utilization, reduce patient travel burdens, and strengthen community health outcomes.
Keywords: Patient Revisit, Health Facility Accessibility, Convenience, Parking Availability, Nyamagana District, Continuity of Care, Mixed-Methods.
