Caregivers/Patients Perception and Satisfaction with Outpatient HIV Services at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Patient perception and satisfaction is an indicator used to evaluate the quality of healthcare. This study aimed to assess patients’/caregivers’ perception and satisfaction with outpatient HIV services.
 Methodology: This was a cross sectional study carried out at the Paediatric HIV clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Purposive and convenient sampling methods were used to recruit 152 out patients just before they exit the outpatient department (OPD). Exit interviews were conducted with a three-point Likert scale using a Pretested self-administered questionnaire. Participation was voluntary and consent was obtained from all participants. Obtained data was analysed using epi info version 7, Chi-square test was used to test the association between the overall satisfaction level and sociodemographic characteristics of the patients. Statistical significance for the chi-square test was set at p< 0 .05.
 Results: A total of 152 caregivers/patients participated in the study, only 31 (20.4%) were patients, aged 15-18years, 77 (50.7%) were aged from 26 and 41 years, 111(73%) were females, 99 (65.1%) were married and 76(50.0% had secondary level of education. Majority of the patients (130, 85.53%) were satisfied with the provider interpersonal skills followed by the physical environment at the OPD (118, 77.63%). However, only 53.29% were satisfied with the waiting and consulting time. The overall satisfaction rate was 73. 68% based on the three domains measured. The results showed a statistically significant association between the overall level of satisfaction and the female gender (X2= 4.67, p = 0.0306) and those with tertiary educational level (X2= 14.48, p= 0.0001) of the patients/caregivers.
 Conclusion: The level of satisfaction with outpatient HIV services at the UPTH is high. Program managers review of patients’ appointment time and use of electronic consultation tool will reduce the consulting and waiting time and further improve patient’s satisfaction.

Dimensions, social and healthcare setting determinants of client satisfaction for HIV/AIDS services: a systematic review

“…Older age groups (18,21,44,46,57,63) and female HIV clients (28,29,44,61,64) were more likely to be satisfied. In another two studies, females were less satisfied (45 , 82).…”

“…Those who married (44,46) and divorced (46) than single, and those living with spouses or partners were more satisfied (84). Five studies determined the more educated were positively associated with satisfaction (28,44,50,53,57). On the other hand, four articles revealed the reverse in which less-educated HIV patients were more satisfied (18,65,82,83).…”

“…The final review has included a total of 66 studies. Authors collected data between 1988 (27) and 2019 (28), and published it between 1993 and 2021. According to the WHO region, 42 articles were published in Africa (19,22,23,, 9 studies in the South-East Asia (18,(67)(68)(69)(70)(71)(72)(73)(74), 9 studies in the America (7,27,(75)(76)(77)(78)(79)(80)(81), 4 in the Western Pacific (20,(82)(83)(84) and 2 in the European (21,85) region.…”

“…Specific to country, 17 were from Ethiopia, 12 from Nigeria, 7 from India, 6 each from South Africa and the United States of America, 3 from Tanzania, 2 each from Brazil, Vietnam and Zambia, and 1 each from United Kingdom and Kenya, Australia, Cameroon, Canada, China, France, Kenya, Russia, and Thailand. Regarding the study population, two among paediatrics and caregivers (28,49) and one among all age groups (37), two did not report the age category (27,81) and the remaining 61 were conducted among the adult age group. One study was conducted among males (80) and two of the studies were among women (76,78)…”

“Some believe those who say they can cure it” perceived barriers to antiretroviral therapy for children living with HIV/AIDS: Qualitative exploration of caregivers experiences in tamale metropolis

“…Facilitators of ART adherence explored in Nigerian PLWHA reported 85.53% satisfied with the providers’ interpersonal skills, and environment at the centre (77.63%) [ 22 ]. For children less than 15 years, globally 91% of the infected about 3.2 million children reside in sub-Sahara Africa by 2015.…”