Research Article Access and Barriers to Healthcare Vary among Three Neighboring Communities in Northern Honduras

License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Objective. The aim of this study is to describe and compare access and barriers to health services in three proximal yet topo-graphically distinct communities in northern Honduras served by the nonprofit organization the Honduras Outreach Medical Brigada Relief Effort (HOMBRE). Methods. Study personnel employed a 25-item questionnaire in Spanish at the point of care during HOMBRE clinics in Coyoles, Lomitas, and La Hicaca (N = 220). We describe and compare the responses between sites, using Chi-squared and Fisher Exact tests. Results. Respondents in Lomitas demonstrated the greatest limitations in access and greatest barriers to care of all sites. Major limitations in access included “never ” being able to obtain a blood test, obtain radiology services, and see a specialist. Major barriers were cost, distance, facility overcrowding, transportation, being too ill to go, inability to take time off work, and lack of alternate childcare. Conclusions. Despite being under the same local health authority, geographically remote Honduran communities experience greater burdens in healthcare access and barriers than neighboring communities of the same region. 1. Background Short-term medical missions are an increasingly popular method for delivery of healthcare to developing nations