HEALTHCARE QUALITY THROUGH THE PATIENTS’ EYES: A STUDY IN UDI AND ENUGU SOUTH SECONDARY FACILITIES

Abstract

This study assessed patients’ perception of the quality of care received in two secondary health care facilities—Uwani General Hospital (urban) and Udi General Hospital (rural)—in Enugu State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 144 patients, both outpatients and inpatients, using a structured questionnaire that collected demographic data and perceptions of care quality. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, with results presented in tables. The overall perception of care was above average (mean score: 3.15 ± 0.78), with 76.4% of respondents rating the quality of care as good. The most highly rated aspect of care was the time healthcare workers (HCWs) dedicated to interacting with patients (mean score: 3.70 ± 0.60). This positive perception marks a significant improvement, especially given past concerns over poor service delivery in secondary health care settings in Enugu State. The findings suggest that improving patient-provider communication can enhance satisfaction and encourage greater utilization of secondary health services, potentially reducing the burden on overstrained tertiary facilities