Responsiveness of primary health care services in Nigeria: The patients’ perspective

Daprim S. Ogaji, Africa Centre for Public Health and Toxicological Research, University of Port HarcourtFollow
Chinedu B. Egu, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Port HarcourtFollow
Michael Nwakor-osaji, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Port HarcourtFollow
Amala C. Smart, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Port HarcourtFollow
Emeka F. Anyiam, Centre for Health and Development, University of Port HarcourtFollow
Faith C. Diorgu, Africa Centre of Excellence in Public Health and Toxicological Research, University of Port HarcourtFollow

Abstract

Health system responsiveness reflects the extent national health systems meet the legitimate expectations of patients. This study assessed the responsiveness of primary health care services in Nigeria from the clients’ perspective. A cross-sectional survey of 379 participants were randomly selected from 7 centers from a sample frame of 20 primary healthcare centers. Descriptive results were presented in frequencies and percentages. The associations between the importance and performance ranking were examined using the Spearman’s ranked correlation coefficient. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of responsiveness with p-values ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant. There were equal proportion of respondents aged≥30 years but more were female (95%), had attained less than the tertiary level of schooling (60.9%), and currently married (92.3%). The highest proportion of patients reported good responsiveness for dignity (81.8%) and least proportion for the choice of care provider (53.8%). Patient-level predictors of good responsiveness in relation to autonomy were younger age (p = 0.003) attainment of tertiary level of education (p = 0.001); tertiary education was associated with confidentiality (p = 0.009) and those who are not married with prompt attention (p = 0.027). Dignity, confidentiality, and prompt attention were identified as priority areas to focus in improving the responsiveness of primary healthcare services in Rivers State.

Experience Framework

This article is associated with the Patient, Family & Community Engagement lens of The Beryl Institute Experience Framework. (http://bit.ly/ExperienceFramework)

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Recommended Citation

Ogaji DS, Egu CB, Nwakor-osaji M, Smart AC, Anyiam EF, Diorgu FC. Responsiveness of primary health care services in Nigeria: The patients’ perspective. Patient Experience Journal. 2020; 7(3):146-154. doi: 10.35680/2372-0247.1458.