Patient Satisfaction with Inpatient Services and Associated Factors Among Admitted Patients in General Hospitals of...

IntroductionEvidence regarding patient satisfaction with inpatient services in general hospitals in the Sidama Region, Ethiopia, is limited. Context-specific evidence is essential to guide regional health authorities in designing and implementing appropriate quality improvement strategies. This study aimed to assess the level of patient satisfaction with inpatient services and to identify associated factors among patients admitted to general hospitals in the Sidama Region, Ethiopia.MethodsA facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 30 February 2024 among 398 inpatients selected using a simple random sampling technique from four general hospitals in the Sidama Region. Data were collected using a pretested, structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire implemented through the Kobo Toolbox system. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with patient satisfaction. Statistical significance was declared at p < 0.05. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to report the strength of associations.ResultsThe prevalence of patient satisfaction with inpatient services was 57.4% (95% CI: 52.4%-62.5%). Patients aged 18-30 years were less likely to report satisfaction compared to older age groups (AOR = 0.13; 95% CI: 0.04-0.46). Factors positively associated with patient satisfaction included receiving adequate information about hospital services (AOR = 10.08; 95% CI: 4.12-24.68), availability of prescribed medications (AOR = 2.74; 95% CI: 1.34-5.61), length of hospital stay of 1-3 days (AOR = 10.04; 95% CI: 4.18-25.10) and 4-7 days (AOR = 4.23; 95% CI: 1.72-10.38), and perceived improvement in health status (AOR = 7.01; 95% CI: 2.77-17.72).ConclusionThe level of patient satisfaction with inpatient services in general hospitals of the region was suboptimal. Strengthening patient-provider communication, ensuring consistent availability of essential medications, optimizing length of hospital stay, and improving overall quality of inpatient care are recommended to enhance patient satisfaction.