Patients' satisfaction with tuberculosis services provided at selected health facilities in Mityana District, Uganda

Abstract

Introduction The quality of Tuberculosis health care is critical for improved treatment outcomes. Patient satisfaction surveys are important indicators of the quality of services offered however, there is limited information regarding satisfaction with the TB services in Mityana. Objectives To assess patient satisfaction with the TB services and specifically to determine the level of satisfaction, individual factors associated with and health facility factors affecting patient satisfaction in Mityana district. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 323 TB patients, 18 years and above using mixed methods of data collection. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and KII guide. Quantitative data was entered into epi data exported to and analyzed using stata 14. Prevalence risk ratios were used as a measure of association. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: From this study, 61.9% of TB patients were satisfied with TB services. The individual factors associated with low TB patient satisfaction with TB services were; being Stigmatized APR: 0.94(CI: 0.89-0.97), being with secondary and above education level APR: 0.95 (CI: 0.91-0.99).riding bicycle to facility APR: 0.85 (95% CI: 0.78-0.93),waiting for longer than one hour APR:0.88 (CI: 0.84-0.91), factors associated with increased satisfaction were; short travel time to facility APR: 1.06(CI: 1.01-1.11) and having completed a full course of treatment APR:1,09(CI: 1.01-1.16)health status APR: 1.05 (CI: 1.00-1.11), being employed APR: 1.07 (CI: 1.01-1.13) and The health facility factors affecting patient satisfaction were; longer waiting time, inadequate facilities, inadequate number of staff and drug stock outs on non-clinic days. Conclusion: In this study, the level of patient satisfaction with TB care was low compared to other studies done in Uganda, implying that the care needs of TB patients are currently not met satisfactorily. The individual factors that were associated with reduce patient satisfaction included; higher education level, riding bicycles to the facility, waiting for longer than one hour, being stigmatized and attending a public facility. On the other hand, shorter travel time to facility and having completed a full course of treatment were associated with increased satisfaction with TB services. Heath facility factors reported to affect patient satisfaction were; inadequate number of staff, stock out of supplies, long turnaround time of results and patients attitude. Recommendations The hospital administrators, health center IV authorities, and health workers should pay more attention to providing patient centered care which will enable them address specific patient concerns and needs. The administrators should ensure that the clinic opens early in addition to allocating more staff on TB clinic days so as to deal with the large patient to staff ratio. Furthermore, they should consider task shifting to other appropriately trained health workers and expert clients.