Clients’ satisfaction with HIV treatment services in Bamenda, Cameroon: A cross-sectional study

Joint Conference International Congress on Nosocomial and Healthcare Associated Infections & 2^nd Global Medical Microbiology Summit & Expo

October 02-04, 2017 Las Vegas, USA

Buh Amos Wung, Nde Fon Peter and Julius Atashili

University of Buea, Cameroon

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Med Microb Diagn

Abstract :

Background: Clients have explicit desires or requests for services when visiting hospitals; inadequate discovery of their needs may result in dissatisfaction. Patient satisfaction influences retention in HIV care, adherence to HAART and serves as determinant to HIV suppression. This study�s objectives were to quantify clients� satisfaction with HIV services in Bamenda and determine relationship between satisfaction and clients� socio-demographic/structural characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on HIV-positive patients followed-up, on treatment and who consulted in the Bamenda Regional Hospital treatment centre between July and August 2014. Participants consent was sought and data collected on client�s level of satisfaction to staff-patient-communication, staff attitudes, privacy and confidentiality and staffing and amenities situations in the hospital. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire interviewer-administered by investigator and trained health personnel. Collected data was analyzed using Epi Info version 3.5.4 and clients� satisfaction measured using frequencies and percentages. Results: A total of 384 participants took part in this study and their median age was 37 years (IQR: 29-46). 274 (71.4%) participants were females. Overall satisfaction with HIV services was 91.2% and participants reported less satisfaction with overall staffing and amenities situation of the center (3.6%). In the multivariate analysis, only being female, employed and perceiving high number of nurses working at the treatment center remained significant predictors of overall satisfaction with HIV services. Conclusion: A high proportion of participants expressed satisfaction with HIV services. However, some dissatisfaction is masked in this high satisfaction level. This dissatisfaction underscores need to improve staff attitudes, staff-patient-communication, employ more staff and build better patient facilities. Future studies need to focus on assessing long-term progression of satisfaction levels with services and determinants of satisfaction involving larger samples in many treatment centers.