Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global health problem, responsible for ill health among millions of people each year. It is the second leading cause of death from an infectious disease worldwide following human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Tuberculosis control measures are limited by the quality of care provided at the local level. Providing a quality and timely care for patients with TB is crucial in prevention and control of the disease. This study was conducted to assess the quality of TB treatment services in public hospitals of Sidama zone, Southern Ethiopia, 2016. Cross-sectional study was undertaken from 20th May to 30th June, 2016. A total of 251 patients on TB treatment services from six public hospitals were included in the study by using consecutive sampling technique. Data was checked, coded and entered into Epidata version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20. Percentages mean score was used to describe overall satisfaction of patients with TB treatment services. Factors predicting patient satisfaction were identified by using multiple linear regression analysis at p-value less than 0.05. Six public hospitals and 13 TB care providers were included in the study. The index of overall structural quality mean score was 0.85 which was graded as good. A total of 48 sessions of patient-provider interaction were observed. From which 33 (68.8%) and 35 (72.9%) patients had greeted in a friendly/polite manner and had participated in decision making process, respectively. The average level of patient satisfaction score with TB treatment services was 71.6%. Educational status, ethnicity and duration of TB treatment appeared to be statistically associated with average patient satisfaction score. Most of the minimum required resources to conduct the service were available in the hospitals. Majority of the studied hospitals are structurally good. Educational status and duration of TB treatment were found to be independent predictors of patient satisfaction. Regular supervision, refreshment training, attentions to patients’ dissatisfaction area were forwarded.

Key words: Quality of care, structural quality, processes of service provision, satisfaction of patient, Sidama zone.

Abbreviation

DOTS, Directly observed treatment short course; FMOH, Federal Ministry of Health; HIV/AIDS, human immune virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome; IOM, Institute of Medicine; ISTC, International Standards for TB Control and Care; MDR, TB multidrug resistant tuberculosis; NGO, non-governmental organization; RHB, Regional Health Bureau; SNNPR, Southern Nation, Nationality and People Regional State; SPSS, Statistical Package for Social Science; TB, tuberculosis; TLCP, Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program; WHO, World Health Organization; WOHO, Woreda Health Office; ZHD, Zonal Health Department.