Assessment Of Dignified Care And Associated Factors Among Adult Patients Admitted To Jimma Medical Center

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.