ART Patients' Satisfaction Level Regarding Comprehensive HIV and AIDS Care Management and Antiretroviral Treatment Programme in Pretoria

The purpose of this cross- sectional study was to investigate patients' satisfaction levels regarding access to; and quality of; comprehensive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) care management and antiretroviral treatment programme (CCMT). A total of 402 patients were selected from three hospitals by stratified random sampling techniques. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess patients' satisfaction levels. Almost all the patients ( 93) gave positive response towards access to CCMT services; and mentioned that the doctor was kind; polite; and showed them respect; the nurse was kind; polite; and showed them respect; doctors provided full attention during consultations; and they felt comfortable talking to the healthcare provider about their problems. More than a tenth (12) of the patients were dissatisfied with regard to privacy during consultation; and another 13 regarded the receptionist or booking clerk as unkind; impolite; disrespectful and unhelpful towards them. The majority ( 90) of the patients were very satisfied; or satisfied; with obtaining medication; with the explanation on how to take it; and with the counselling and privacy. Patients were mostly dissatisfied with HIV-specific material (19); assessment of financial status (19); and explanation of laboratory results (8). Access to; and quality of; the CCMT programme in the three hospitals in the Tshwane District is excellent; and in line with what has been prescribed in the operational plan. The availability of HIV-specific material has to be strengthened in order to help educate patients; so that they can better access healthcare facilities; and especially patients on the CCMT programme

Patient Satisfaction with the Quality of Care in a Primary Health Care Setting in Botswana

Primary health care involves a sustained partnership between patients and providers that addresses the majority of a population's health needs over time. Patients' perception of satisfaction is an aspect of healthcare quality that is being increasingly recognised for its importance. The objective of this study was to investigate the factors contributing to patients' satisfaction with and their rating of the quality of care in Extension II Clinic in Gaborone; Botswana. of them were displeased with this aspect. A total of 36.9 Method: This was a cross-sectional study in which 360 systematically selected participants completed five-point Likert scale self-administered questionnaires. Results: Overall; participants were quite satisfied (mean score = 3.75) with the services provided by the different service providers. The participants indicated that overall; the quality of care of the health care facility was good (mean score = 3.45). The pharmacy received the highest satisfaction level with a mean rating of 4.1. Thirty-eight per cent of the participants rated the services provided by the doctors as best despite giving the highest quality ratings with a mean of 3.9 to the pharmacy compared to mean ratings of 3.4 for the doctors. The participants' greatest displeasure was with the time spent at the facility; as 63.9 was most pleased with information given to them as a factor of importance. Conclusion: The participants were quite satisfied with the services provided as well as the quality of care provided by the different service providers of the health care facility. There is; however; a need for interventions in terms of time spent at the facility; which would promote good customer-focused service delivery

A Profile on and Medical Conditions of Patients Staying Longer Than the Set Norm at a District Hospital in South Africa

The average length of hospital stay is regarded as a key determinant of greater hospital costs. The objectives of this quantitative; retrospective; descriptive study were to determine the health status and medical conditions of patients with increased length of stay at a district hospital in Limpopo Province. A total of 609 patients' records with longer than average length of stay; from January to December 2007; were selected by stratified random sampling. The most prevalent diseases for staying longer were infectious and parasitic diseases; symptoms; signs etc; and injury; poisoning and consequences of causes yielding more than a third (36 and 12; respectively; for each classification). Neoplasm-related admissions; in which cancer was identified as the most prevalent; stayed in hospital for an average of 14.6 days. The average length of stay for all disease classifications ranged from 7.1 days to 14.6 days. The length of stay at Elim Hospital is mostly influenced by the type of health conditions which are diagnosed. Further research is needed to find influential factors that might contribute to patients staying longer than normal