Healthcare Availability and Accessibility Options among Smallholder Farmers In Ezza South Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Access to healthcare is a critical determinant of the welfare and productivity of smallholder farming households, yet empirical evidence on the healthcare options available to, and the accessibility barriers confronting rural farmers in south-east Nigeria remains limited. Thus, the study assessed healthcare availability and accessibility among smallholder farmers in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 150 smallholder farmers from ten villages drawn from five purposively selected farming communities. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) and mean-score analysis derived from a four-point Likert-type scale. Results showed that private healthcare services (88.7%) and roots/herbal remedies (80.0%) were the most available healthcare options in the area, ahead of public healthcare services (40.0%), traditional/native doctors (28.7%), donor-funded free healthcare programmes (6.7%), and spiritual healers (5.3%). Affordability (x̄ = 4.56), availability (x̄ = 4.42), and cost of medical services (x̄ = 4.08) were the most influential factors shaping healthcare accessibility, while acceptability, belief, geographical area of residence, and language spoken were not significant barriers. Healthcare access was found to promote energetic engagement in farming activities (x̄ = 4.68), reduce the risk of debilitating health conditions (x̄ = 4.47), and raise household income and living standards (x̄ = 4.24). The study concludes that affordability and availability constraints, rather than sociocultural acceptability, are the binding barriers to healthcare access among smallholder farmers in the study area, with direct implications for farm labour productivity. The study therefore recommends that government and health stakeholders expand investment in accessible, affordable rural health infrastructure, including mobile clinics and community health posts, to safeguard farm-household welfare and support agricultural productivity.