Determination of population's opinion regarding utilization of Mahelet Marhoum Hospital

ABSTRACT

A previous study by Amer et al., [1984], revealed that MMH continuously showed the lowest utilization rates among El-Gharbia hospitals. Therefore, this population survey study was carried out with the aim of revealing the reasons why MM population refrained from using their district hospital. The most frequently mentioned reasons stated by those admitted to other hospitals and those never hospitalized were related to unavailability of doctors, equipment and facilities in MMH. Technical inefficiency was the main reason of dissatisfaction from doctors as mentioned by those admitted to MMH, while lack of "caring" for patients was the major reason of dissatisfaction from nurses and other subprofessionals. Other reasons included geographic inaccessibility of the hospital. Cost formed no barrier to utilization, while problems related to uncleanliness were few. Finally, it was revealed that the higher the level of education of respondents the more inclined they were not to use MMH