ABSTRACT:
Primary Health Care (PHC) serves as the foundation of healthcare systems in South Africa, providing essential services to communities. However, the underutilization of PHC services remains a challenge in rural areas, including Blouberg Local Municipality in Limpopo Province. This mixed-methods study aims to investigate the underutilization of PHC services in this region and develop targeted strategies to improve service utilization. The study will employ a convergent parallel design, collecting both qualitative and quantitative data from patients utilizing PHC services. A semi-structured interview guide and questionnaire will be used to collect data, which will be analysed using thematic analysis and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. The study's expected outcomes include identifying barriers to PHC service utilization and developing strategies to improve utilization. The findings are expected to provide policymakers, healthcare providers, and stakeholders with valuable insights to inform policy and programmatic interventions, ultimately contributing to improved health outcomes in the study area. By exploring the challenges faced by communities in accessing PHC services, this study aims to contribute to the improvement of PHC service utilization and inform evidence-based interventions.