Abstract:
Background: Satisfaction is an important measure of health service performance. In Ethiopia
caregivers play a significant role in the treatment of mentally ill patient because of absence of
modern rehabilitation service, and cultural obligation. Therefore assessing caregiver
satisfaction of service given to their beloved one is a meaningful step towards improving the
quality of psychiatry service.
Objective: The aim of the study was to assess caregiver satisfaction with outpatient psychiatry
service and predictors at Jimma University Specialized Hospital.
Method: Across sectional facility based design was conducted and supported by qualitative
inquiries. Consecutively selected 423 caregivers were participated from May to June 2017.
Mental Health Service Satisfaction Scale was use to assess caregiver satisfaction. The
independent predictors of satisfaction score in multiple linear regression were set at p-value
<0.05.
Result: the response rate was100%. Out of 423 participants 278(65.7%) were male and the
mean (SD) age was 40.3(11.99) years. The caregivers mean satisfaction score was 71.03 %.
Majority caregiver was exhibited lower satisfaction with privacy issue, waiting area comfort,
professional access to have followup with same health worker. In the final model 50.2% of
variations of caregiver satisfaction score was explained by relationship to patient (other) (β=-
5.16, p<0.05), increased burden (β=-.123, P<0.01), being caregiver of patient uses substance at
daily base throughout the year (β=-2.8, p<0.05), and increased distance from clinic (β=-4.11,
p<0.001) were inversely correlated with satisfaction score of caregiver. And having high social
support (β=.357, p<0.05), being caregiver of other psychotic disorder (β=2.73, p<0.031), longer
duration of caregiving (β=.52, P< 001) and longer time staying with patient per 24 hours (β=.47,
P<.001) were positively correlated with caregiver satisfaction.
Conclusion: This study found that majority of caregiver was display lower ssatisfaction with
privacy issue, waiting area comfort, professional access. Mean satisfaction score decrease with
greater burden, lower social support, being caregiver of schizophrenia patient with substance
use at daily base and increased distance from clinic. Therefore it is imperative to improve the
facility comfort and service access with special emphasis for burdensome and farther distance
