ABSTRACT
Aims: To determine the factors influencing patient satisfaction with services at the general outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Study Design: A descriptive cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: We carried out the study between February and July 2011, in the General Outpatient Department of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, Ni. Methodology: One hundred respondents were sampled using systematic sampling technique. We developed a structured questionnaire, which sought information on sociodemographic characteristics of patients, registration/wait times and patients’ satisfaction. We analyzed the data using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. Results: Out of the 100 patients sampled, 4 opted out, thus giving a response rate of 96%. Their ages ranged between 15-70 years with mean of 32±13 years. Students constituted 28.4% of the participants, followed by full term housewives (27%). Those participants having up to tertiary education accounted for 36.1%. Up to 62.5% of participants were females and majority of them were from urban areas (88.5%). Registration time ranged between 1-132 minutes (mean = 76±22.7 minutes) whereas clinic wait time ranged between 10-167minutes (mean = 83.7±38.6 minutes). Sixty five percent of them expressed satisfaction with neatness of the clinic environment, 48.5% expressed satisfaction with communication with the doctors while 65% expressed satisfaction with the explanations offered concerning their ailments. The overall satisfaction with services at the clinic was 52%. Determinants of satisfaction were total clinic wait time (P=.001, r=-0.4), clinic wait time (P=.007, r=-0.25) and age (P=.001, r=0.31). Conclusion: The overall satisfaction with services at the clinic was above average, patients expressed dissatisfaction with registration time, wait time and condition of consulting room. Health care managers should commence appointment system to reduce the number of patients who turn out at the same time. They should also address provider-related factors that cause dissatisfaction.
ABSTRACT
Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the pattern and factors influencing exclusivebreast feeding and weaning practices in a homogenous urban slum. Study Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional among 143 mother-child pairsusing a combination of simple and systematic sampling methods. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on pattern of breastfeeding, weaning and weaning foods. Results: The ages of the mothers ranged from 13-41 years while the infants were aged 0-26 months. Breastfeeding was initiated by 83 mothers within 30 minutes of delivery and the main reason for delayed initiation of breastfeeding was the belief that colostrum was dirty 99(69.2%). only 32 (22.3%) of the mothers commenced weaning before the age of 4 months mainly on pap made from corn or millet.Out of the 143 respondents, only 46 (32.2%) practiced exclusivebreast feeding. There was a statistically significant relationship (P=0.006) between the age ofthe respondents’ and the practice of EBF as the mothers who were more than 30 years of agewere more likely to practice EBF compared to those younger than 30 years. However, the level of education andoccupation of the mothers had no significant bearing on the practice of EBF. Conclusion: The practice of exclusive breast feeding is low and is influenced by socialdeterminants that need to be addressed by policy makers. Risk factors for early weaning should be identified and appropriate interventions put in place.
ABSTRACT
Background: The provision of antenatal care is regarded as the cornerstone of maternal and perinatal health care especially in developing nations and is expected to have a significant impact on achieving the fifth millennium development goal. The aim of this study was to assess the determinants of utilisation of maternity services in Gidan Igwe; Sokoto. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional descriptive one involving 300 women of child bearing age selected through a systematic sampling technique. Data was collected using a set of semi-structured interviewer and self administered questionnaires. Results: Majority; 214 (71.3) of the respondents had no formal education; visited a health facility for antenatal care during their last pregnancy; 218 (72.7) and had their last delivery at home; 190 (63.3). Of the 190 subjects that delivered at home; 165 (85) were assisted by Traditional birth attendants (TBAs). Education was statistically significantly associated with ANC attendance and hospital delivery (P=0.0012). Conclusion: Although; a high proportion of the respondents visited health facilities for ANC; only a few of them delivered in these facilities. There is need to increase public awareness on the use of antenatal care services and delivery by skilled attendants