An analysis of the flow patterns of patients to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex’s Cancer Treatment Centre (OAUTHC-CTC), Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Oyekanmi Babatimehin, Obafemi Awolowo University
Mathew Afolabi, Obafemi Awolowo University

This study analysed the flow patterns of cancer patients to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex’s Cancer Treatment Centre, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The study involved the use of GPS Receiver to obtain the geographic coordinates of the hospital and also the medical records of cancer patients. Data collected were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics; and geo-spatial techniques. Data showed that 1,809 patients from 15 states in Nigeria were enrolled for the treatment of cancer at the hospital. The volume of patronage at the centre was seen to be inversely related to the distance traveled by patients (r = -.657, p > 0.05). For instance, 85% of the patients came from the three (3) nearest states to the health facility, with Osun, the host state, accounting for about half (50.6%) of the total number. Also, the study revealed some demographic and socio-economic peculiarities among the cancer patients.