Assessing the Level of Satisfaction of Patients with TB-DOTS Implementation in Rural and Urban Centres of Selected Dots accredited facilities in Anambra State, Nigeria

Background: This study assessed the level of satisfaction of patients with TB implementation in selected DOTS accredited facilities.

Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional analytic study involving rural and urban areas implementing DOTS for TB in Anambra State was done. A total of 354 respondents (177 per sub population) were enrolled in the study. By exit interview respondents were administered the questionnaire that bordered on services rendered and cost implications of accessing treatment at the facilities.

Results: A total of 162(91.5%) rural respondents were satisfied with appropriateness of working hours compared to 166(93.8%) participants in urban areas. Also 141(79.7%) respondents in rural areas were satisfied with waiting time compared to 155(87.6%) in urban areas and this was statistically significant p<0.004. For the cleanliness of the specimen bottle 138(77.8%) rural respondents compared to 148(83.6%) in urban areas were satisfied and this was statistically significant, p<0.001. Majority of the urban respondents 123(68.9%) were satisfied with respect offered by health workers compared to rural 114(64.4%), and this was also significant, p<0.000. Concerning cost incurred and information given by health workers more urban respondents 5(2.8%) were dissatisfied compared to rural 2(1.1%) though not statistically significant p= 0.378. However, satisfaction was slightly higher in urban (82.8%) compared to rural (80.8%) respondents, while the overall satisfaction in this study was 81.8%.

Conclusion: Patient`s satisfaction is a panacea for successful DOTS implementation. We therefore recommend that satisfaction could be improved by provision patient-centred requests such as provision of multivitamins, transport, food among others to help improve DOTS because it will encourage attendance and adherence with better outcomes.