Kidist Birmeta, Bo Ram Sim, Dohyeong Kim, Sarita Dhakal, Young Ah Do and Eun Woo Nam
Introduction: In Ethiopia, visit to health care services remains low and unevenly distributed. To ensure appropriate health care use, it is necessary to understand factors affecting health care use, and the reasons for low levels of visit to health care service. Objective: The objective of this study was to identify barriers to health care services for the people of the Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Method: A cross sectional survey was conducted from 23 September to 31 November, 2013 in Holeta Town. All eight kebeles were included in the study. 1,422 households were selected using systematic random sampling. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted using SPSS window version 20. Result: Based on the result, 60.1% respondent are used to visit for the health care service. The majority of the respondents (52.0%) mentioned health status is excellent according to self-perceived health status. 92.4% respondents were not included in the medical insurance scheme. As a result, the majority were sick because they are not aware of health problems and they can’t afford the medication cost. Conclusion: The major barrier to accessing the health care service includes income, marital status, ethnicity, evaluated health and individual attitude towards health services. Most of the respondents reported that their selfperceived health rate is excellent. Respondent also worry that the health care providers may provide unnecessary care to make money.