Patients’ Satisfaction with Nursing Care at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Assessing the extent to which patients are satisfied with health services is clinically relevant, as satisfied patients are more likely to adhere to treatment, actively participate in their own care, continue utilizing medical services, remain within a healthcare facility, and maintain loyalty to a specific healthcare system. This study aimed to (1) ascertain the level of patients’ satisfaction with the quality of nursing services, (2) determine the relationship between patient satisfaction and the quality of nursing services, and (3) examine the factors influencing patient satisfaction with the quality of nursing services at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH), Gwagwalada, Abuja. Additionally, the study explored associated factors related to nursing care at UATH. The specific objectives of the study were to assess the level of patients’ satisfaction with nursing care and to evaluate patients’ overall perception of nursing care. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive research design. The study population included all adult inpatients (both male and female) at UATH. The target population consisted of 1,967 individuals, and the sample size was determined using Taro Yamane’s formula, resulting in a sample of 206 participants. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to select the study sample. Data were collected using a self-structured questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26. Descriptive statistics, such as frequency distribution and percentage counts, were used to summarize the data. The study found that the majority of respondents were aged 30–40 years (30.1%), predominantly female (64.1%), and of Hausa ethnicity (28.1%). Most respondents (44.7%) had a hospital stay of less than one week, and confidence in medical personnel was the primary reason for choosing the facility (33%). Results indicated that the majority of respondents (62, 30.1%) were between 30 and 34 years old, most (132, 64.1%) were female, and the largest ethnic group represented was Hausa (58, 28.1%). Additionally, most respondents (44.7%) had been hospitalized for less than a week, and the majority (33%) chose the hospital due to confidence in its medical personnel. The findings revealed that most patients were generally satisfied with nursing care, particularly in areas such as clarity of information, perceived competence, teamwork, and discharge instructions. However, dissatisfaction was noted in aspects such as nurses’ willingness to answer questions and responsiveness to patient calls. Despite these concerns, the majority of respondents expressed a willingness to recommend the hospital to family and friends, indicating a positive overall perception of nursing care. Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between patient satisfaction and the duration of hospitalization (p = 0.003), but no significant relationship was found between patient satisfaction and medical history (p > 0.05). Furthermore, no significant difference in patient satisfaction was observed across different units of the health facility (p > 0.05). This study found that, while patients at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital expressed overall satisfaction with nursing care, particularly in communication and respect, significant dissatisfaction with responsiveness to patient calls highlights the need for targeted improvements to enhance patient-centered care. Addressing these gaps in nursing responsiveness and attentiveness could significantly improve patient outcomes and satisfaction.