Socio -demographic predictors of patients′ satisfaction

Abstract

Background: Health care market is widely becoming competive as a result of various alternative orthodox therapies in circulation. Therefore, to ensure continuous patronage of orthodox medical care market, there is need to improve patient,s satisfaction with orthodox medical services. Objective: To find out the relationship between patients' socio -demographic characteristics and satisfaction with the hope that this knowledge may facilitate better understanding of patient's expectation. Materials and Methods: In a descriptive cross -sectional survey using a random sampling technique (wherein all eligible and consenting participants were enrolled), a self -administered questionnaire was used to obtain information from the eligible and consented respondents on their self -rated level of satisfaction with the hospital personnel, the quality of care received, the comfort at the facility, and the prescribed medications in a subsidized eye clinic wherein patients pay half of the regular fees. Results: The study population consisted of 320 participants (178 males and 142 females) with a mean age ± SD of 53 ± 14.9 years. There was a significant association between the overall satisfaction and all the variables except marital status and monthly income. Age and place of domicile were found to be independent predictors of satisfaction. Respondents living outside Ibadan were 2.5 times more likely to be satisfied with care than those living in Ibadan while patients who were younger than 40 years of age were 16 times less likely to be satisfied with care compared to patients aged 70 years and above. Conclusion: Health care practitioner should be aware that socio -demographic characters may significantly influence how patients rate their health care experiences and as such should put these into consideration when attending to their patients.