Geographical And Sociocultural Determinants Of Access To Medical Laboratory Services: A Cross-Regional Study In Urban And Rural Healthcare Settings

Abstract

Disparities in access to diagnostic healthcare services remain a persistent barrier to equitable health outcomes, particularly in geographically and socioeconomically marginalized settings. Laboratory diagnostics play a critical role in disease surveillance, timely intervention, and health system responsiveness. Yet, access to these services is often unevenly distributed across urban and rural regions. A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted across four districts, encompassing 800 adult participants equally stratified between urban and rural settings. Data were collected using a structured survey measuring geographic distance to laboratories, frequency of monthly visits, perceived access satisfaction, income levels, and educational attainment. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, t-tests, and multivariate regression analyses were applied to examine disparities and identify predictors of perceived access. Findings revealed significant urban–rural disparities. Rural participants travelled greater distances (Mean = 8.96 km), had lower monthly laboratory visits (Mean = 0.95), and reported reduced perceived access (Mean = 3.12) compared to their urban counterparts. Socioeconomic factors further compounded these disparities. Regression results indicated that region, distance, income, and education significantly predicted perceived access (Adjusted R² = 0.628, p < 0.001). Diagnostic access remains closely tied to geographic and social determinants. Infrastructure expansion alone is insufficient; integrated strategies targeting rural diagnostic decentralization, socioeconomic support, and health literacy are necessary to ensure equitable service delivery. Policy recommendations include mobile laboratories, insurance portability, and equity-driven spatial planning. © 2025, Green Publication. All rights reserved.