NuMIQ Research Programme
ACCESS Research Programme
Promotion of Access to Healthcare in Primary Health Facilities
Primary Health Care Rural African Communities
The ACCESS Research Programme investigates barriers to healthcare access and explores ways to promote health equity, improve access to essential treatment, and strengthen supportive supervision for nurses in primary healthcare settings.
Why is this programme needed?
Poor access to healthcare services remains a significant challenge in many rural African communities, even where healthcare programmes offer free services. The availability of free healthcare does not necessarily guarantee access, as individuals and communities may continue to experience barriers to obtaining timely and appropriate care.
These barriers include shortages of healthcare workers and essential medicines, limited access to health information, and long travel distances to healthcare facilities. Such challenges may affect healthcare utilisation, continuity of treatment, maternal and reproductive health outcomes, and the overall quality and accessibility of primary healthcare.
Purpose of the Programme
To promote access to healthcare in primary health facilities and strengthen access to supportive supervision for nurses in the implementation of healthcare programmes.
Key Pillars
The programme is guided by four interconnected areas of focus.
01. Access to Healthcare Programmes
Investigating barriers that prevent individuals and communities from accessing available healthcare services and programmes.
02. Health Equity
Supporting efforts to address barriers that contribute to unequal access to healthcare, particularly in rural African communities.
03. Access to Essential Treatment
Exploring factors affecting access to and continuity of essential treatment, including chronic treatment and antiretroviral therapy.
04. Supportive Supervision for Nurses
Investigating nurses’ access to supportive supervision and its role in implementing healthcare programmes and providing healthcare services.
Research Objectives
The programme focuses on seven research areas.
01. Sexual and Reproductive Health
Investigate barriers to sexual and reproductive health service access among young people in rural health facilities.
02. Access to Chronic Treatment
Explore patients’ experiences of waiting times when accessing chronic treatment.
03. Choice of Termination of Pregnancy (CTOP)
Support the development of guidelines to strengthen women’s access to CTOP services.
04. Antenatal Care
Investigate factors contributing to delayed access to antenatal care (ANC) within the context of HIV.
05. Access to Antiretrovirals (ARVs)
Develop strategies to improve access to antiretroviral treatment.
06. Maternal Healthcare
Contribute to the development of a conceptual framework to strengthen access to maternal care.
07. Supportive Supervision
Explore professional nurses’ views regarding access to supportive supervision and its impact on the provision of healthcare services.
Programme Outputs
The ACCESS Research Programme aims to contribute to research capacity development and the advancement of knowledge through:
- Supervision of master’s and PhD students.
- Publication of research articles.
- Funding of research projects.
- Development of a conceptual framework to strengthen access to maternal healthcare services.
```