Assessment of Cardiovascular patient’s satisfaction and its associated factors at outpatient clinic in Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Insitute

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Cardiovascular Diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for about 17.9 million deaths in 2019, which represents 32% of all global deaths and 80% for Low and Middle-Income Countries. Patient satisfaction reflects quality care. Factors like good interaction, respect, and low waiting time improve care. Tanzania is on a project to expand cardiovascular care but lacks data on patient satisfaction. Aims: To comprehensively assess the dynamics of cardiovascular patient satisfaction with multifaceted factors associated with their contentment within the outpatient setting at Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute. Materials and methods: The quantitative analytical cross-sectional design was employed in this study with 273 participants. Data was collected using close-ended questionnaires. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version 25. Frequencies were obtained for descriptive statistics. Satisfaction domains were categorized as satisfied or unsatisfied using a cut-off point of 3, where >3 was termed as satisfied and < 3 unsatisfied. The overall satisfaction level was obtained by calculating the mean percentages of the categorized satisfaction domains. A bivariate analysis was carried out with p<0.2 was deemed fit for a multivariate analysis which set the p-value <0.05 as statistically significant. Results; In a study of 273 participants, the majority were aged 35-55 (46.5%), with 52.4% male and 63.7% employed, though only 18.3% had high income. The majority 224 (82%) were satisfied and 49 (18%) dissatisfied with outpatients’ services. Satisfaction was highly rated on cleanliness and staff communication, but low for waiting time (31.2%). Key factors influencing satisfaction included Living in Dar Es Salaam (AOR = 1.411, p = 0.016), higher income (AOR = 1.500, p = 0.044), and uninsured (AOR = 1.846, p = 0.014). Conclusion: Despite cardiovascular patients in JKCI being satisfied overall with outpatient services study findings highlight there might be room for improvement in outpatients’ services, especially in regards to reducing waiting time/adequacy staffing and addressing socioeconomic disparities towards quality cardiovascular outpatients’ services.