The research was set out to assess utilization of primary healthcare and the impact of underutilization on the people of Gombe metropolis. Gombe Local Government Area was chosen as the study area from which five secondary and tertiary healthcare centers (The Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe Specialist Hospital, Doma Clinic, Musaba Clinic and Metro Consultant Clinic) were selected plus a couple of responses from the general public outside of the clinic. The major objectives of the study was finding out the most pronounced factors that hinder proper utilization of the primary healthcare centers in the study area, the effects caused by the underutilization and proffering possible solutions towards tackling these effects. One hundred and ten (110) questionnaires were used from which thirty (30) was administered in each of the two government hospitals, ten (10) each in the three private clinics and the remaining twenty (20) responded by the general public. The responses obtained were analyzed an interpreted by which a logical conclusion was reached. The finding of the study revealed that the lack of improved and modern facilities as well as qualified health professionals proved to be the most threatening factor to primary healthcare utilization in the study area. However, socioeconomic standing, culture and accessibility also to an extent results in primary healthcare underutilization. The effect of this underutilization is the overstretch of the secondary and tertiary healthcare centers within the metropolis because of the neglect of the referral system. Minor cases that were supposed to be handled at the primary healthcare centers were being registered at the onset at the secondary and tertiary centers. Some solutions to attaining adequate primary healthcare utilization like improved infrastructural development, government subsidy, public enlightenment and transportation upgrade were given

Keywords : Health, Illness, Patient, Primary Health Care, Utilization, Health Care Facility, Health Services, Social Factors