Abstract:
Background: Dignified care is treating patients as being of worth in a respectful way, considering them
as valued individuals. It enhances overall patient well-being, satisfaction, psychological comfort, and
confidence. Even though necessary, little is known about dignified care in Ethiopia, particularly in
Jimma. Analyzing dignified care, therefore, helps health care providers and the program managers to
design better strategies.
Objective: To assess dignified care and associated factors among adult patients admitted to Jimma
Medical Center, Oromia, Southwest Ethiopia, 2023.
Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study design using the quantitative method supported by
qualitative descriptive data collection was employed among 422 and 13 patients, respectively. Simple
random sampling for quantitative and purposive sampling techniques for qualitative was utilized to
collect the data. Data were collected by using pretested interviewer-administered questionnaires and an
in-depth interview. Binary and multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify factors
associated with dignified care; a P-value < 0.05 at 95% CI was used to declare a statistically
significant association. For qualitative data, thematic analysis was conducted using ATLAS-ti 7.1
software.
Results: Of the 422 samples, 405 participated, resulting in a response rate of 96%. The finding revealed
that 50.90% (95% CI: 45.97–55.75%) of patients had adequate dignified care. Good care providerpatient relationships [AOR=2.92; 95% CI (1.79-4.75); p<0.001], being an employee [AOR=0.23; 95%
CI (0.07-0.75); p=0.014], being female [AOR = 0.18; 95% CI (0.11-0.30); p < 0.001], living in rural
areas [AOR = 0.45; 95% CI (0.21-0.96]; p = 0.049] and being 18–24 years old [AOR=3.48; 95% CI
(1.48–8.15); p = 0.004] were associated with dignified care. The qualitative study explored six key
themes: communication, autonomy, respect, privacy, clinical, and patient factors.
Conclusion and recommendation: Nearly half of the study participants received adequate dignified
care. Care provider-patient relationship, gender, occupation, residence, and age were factors associated
with dignified care, and six themes emerged from a qualitative study. Therefore, health professionals
and hospital administrative staff should work with their maximum effort to maximize dignified care.
