Analysis of Factors Affecting the Satisfaction Levels of Patients Toward Food Services at General Hospitals in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Previous studies showed that hospital food services remain to be a widespread problem all over the world. This study was conducted to determine the factors affecting satisfaction level of patients with food services in a sample of general hospitals in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. A cross sectional study was carried out in four general hospitals including 250 patients. Interview questionnaire was used for measuring satisfaction of the patients with food and food services. Results showed that (78.8%) of patients were satisfied overall with quality of food services in hospitals. Positive correlation was detected between the overall satisfaction level and the different aspects related to food and food services, the first three variables that had the strongest correlation with overall satisfaction were the taste of foods, being served with the favourite food and food appearance. Logistic regression analysis revealed that low monthly income, taste and temperature of food, attitude of staff serving food, and absence of disturbance inside, and outside the room were associated with satisfaction with hospital food and food services (p < 0.05) .Increasing the quality of foods and hospital food services increases the level of overall satisfaction with foods and food services. Ongoing education and communication with patients and dieticians is important in improving satisfaction with foodservice.