Demographic determinants of patient satisfaction among hypertensive and patients with diabetes in primary health care centers, Jeddah

Abstract

Background: Patient satisfaction has been widely investigated in health care research as an indicator of the quality of care. It has been viewed as an important tool for assessment of the level of care from the patient's perspective. Objectives: The objective of the study was to explore the degree of chronic patients’ satisfaction towards services provided through the primary health care (PHC) centers in Jeddah city and to determine the demographic characteristics of the patients that might affect their overall perception of satisfaction about the provided services. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional design was adopted where 400 chronic disease patients were selected randomly from eight centers where they were invited to fill predesigned questionnaire prepared to assess their satisfaction about the health services. Results: The overall satisfaction score accounted for 3.7/5 which approximate to 74%, and the highest scores were reported for their satisfaction about the performance and behavior of nurses and physicians. Monthly income was the significant determinant for overall satisfaction; the highest is the income the lowest is the level of satisfaction. Among other determinants which showed statistical significance with satisfaction subscales were age and educational level of with easiness of access to the center; the older patient is more satisfied than the younger one while the highest is the educational level the lowest is the level of satisfaction. Conclusion: Patients with chronic disease are remarkably satisfied about the services provided in PHC centers in Jeddah; and the level of satisfaction is influenced significantly by the age, educational level, and monthly income.