An assessment of user satisfaction with outpatient mental health consultation services from rural and urban areas in southern Malawi

Date
2018-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY : Background: The assessment of user satisfaction with outpatient mental health services is essential in mental health service. It influences the mental health care that addresses the unmet needs of patients living with mental health problems. In developing countries such as Malawi there is a dearth of mental health studies to assist in evidence based mental health practices. Aim: To evaluate user satisfaction with outpatient mental health consultation services in southern Malawi and to assess social demographic variables that predict user satisfaction. Methods: The study used a quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study design. The assessment was conducted in Malawi at (Blantyre) and (Thyolo) outpatient psychiatric clinics. The study included randomly sampled participants who met the inclusion criteria and consented to be recruited. A total of 216 exit interviews were conducted using Charlestone Psychiatric Outpatient Satisfaction Scale (CPOSS). Results: Of the participants, 57.4% were males and 42.6% were females, with 55.1% being 29 years and older. Of all the study participants, 80% were satisfied with the outpatient mental health services. Participants presenting to the rural clinic were less likely to be satisfied than participants presenting at the urban clinic (AOR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.13-0.76; p<0.05). Any admission due to mental illness significantly predicted user satisfaction at the rural (Thyolo) study site (AOR = 0.11; 95% CI 0.02-0.54; p< 0.05). Conclusion: The study reveals high satisfaction levels with outpatient psychiatric services, and that participants presenting at the rural facility were less likely to be satisfied with outpatient psychiatric services as compared to the urban facility. Any admission due to mental illness significantly predicted user satisfaction at the rural facility. There is need for policy makers to formulate guidelines to strengthen mental health practices and education at all health levels as well as the need for further studies in patient satisfaction with psychiatric services.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Agtergrond: Die beoordeling van gebruikerstevredenheid met buite-pasiënt geestesgesondheidsdienste is noodsaaklik in geestesgesondheidsdiens. Dit beïnvloed die geestesgesondheidsorg wat die onvervulde behoeftes van pasiënte met geestesgesondheidsprobleme aanspreek. In ontwikkelende lande, soos Malawi, is daar 'n gebrek aan geestesgesondheidstudies om te help met bewysgebaseerde geestesgesondheidspraktyke. Doel: Om gebruikerstevredenheid met buite-pasiënt geestesgesondheid konsultasiedienste in die suide van Malawi te evalueer, en om sosiale demografiese veranderlikes te evalueer wat gebruikersbevrediging voorspel. Metodes: Hierdie studie het 'n kwantitatiewe beskrywende dwarssnit studieontwerp gebruik. Die assessering was uitgevoer in Malawi by (Blantyre) en (Thyolo) buite-pasiënt psigiatriese klinieke. Die studie sluit ewekansige steekproefdeelnemers in wat aan die insluitingskriteria voldoen het en ingestem het om verwerf te word. ʼn Totale aantal van 216 uitgangsonderhoude was uitgevoer met gebruik van die Charlestone Psychiatric Outpatient Satisfaction Scale (CPOSS). Resultate: Die steekproef bestaan uit 57,4% mans en 42,6% vroue, met 55,1% 29 jaar en ouer. Van al die studie deelnemers was 80% tevrede met die buitepasiënt-geestesgesondheidsdienste. Deelnemers aan landelike klinieke was minder geneig om tevrede te wees in vergelyking met deelnemers aan stedelike klinieke (AOR = 0.31; 95% CI: 0.13-0.76; p <0.05). Enige opname as gevolg van geestesongesteldheid het die tevredenheid van gebruikers op die landelike (Thyolo) studie-perseel beduidend voorspel (AOR = 0.11; 95% CI 0.02-0.54; p < 0.05). Gevolgtrekking: Hierdie studie toon hoë bevredigingsvlakke met buite-pasiënt psigiatriesedienste, en dat deelnemers aan die landelike fasiliteit minder geneig was om tevrede te wees met buite-pasiënt psigiatriesedienste in vergelyking met die stedelike fasiliteit. Enige toelating weens geestesongesteldheid het gebruikersbevrediging beduidend voorspel by die landelike fasiliteit. Daar is behoefte vir beleidmakers om riglyne te formuleer om geestesgesondheidspraktyke en -opvoeding op alle gesondheidsvlakke te versterk, asook ʼn behoefte aan verdere studies in pasiënt tevredenheid met psigiatriese dienste.
Description
Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2018.
Keywords
Mental health services -- Epidemiology -- Malawi, Ambulatory medical care -- Malawi, Social demographic variables -- Malawi, UCTD
Citation