Sauti Za Wananchi "voice of the people": patient satisfaction on the medical wards at a Kenyan Referral Hospital.
INTRODUCTION
Patient satisfaction is one indicator of healthcare quality. Few studies have examined the inpatient experiences in resource-scarce environments in sub-Saharan Africa.


METHODS
To examine patient satisfaction on the public medical wards at a Kenyan referral hospital, we performed a cross-sectional survey focused on patients' satisfaction with medical information and their relationship with staffing and hospital routine. Ratings of communication with providers, efforts to protect privacy, information about costs, food, and hospital environment were also elicited.


RESULTS
Overall, the average patient satisfaction rating was 64.7, nearly midway between "average" and "good" Higher rated satisfaction was associated with higher self-rated general health scores and self-rated health gains during the hospitalization (p=0.023 and p=0.001). Women who shared a hospital bed found privacy to be "below average" to "poor" Most men (72.7%) felt information about costs was insufficient. Patients rated food and environmental quality favorably while also frequently suggesting these areas could be improved.


CONCLUSION
Overall, patients expressed satisfaction with the care provided. These ratings may reflect modest patients' expectations as well as acceptable circumstances and performance. Women expressed concern about privacy while men expressed a desire for more information on costs. Inconsistencies were noted between patient ratings and free response answers.
['Stone|Geren Starr|GS|', 'Jerotich|Tecla Sum|TS|', 'Cheriro|Betsy Rono|BR|', 'Kiptoo|Robert Sitienei|RS|', 'Crowe|Susie Joanne|SJ|', 'Koros|Elijah Kipkorir|EK|', 'Muthoni|Doreen Mutegi|DM|', 'Onalo|Paul Theodore|PT|']
D000328:Adult D003142:Communication D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D005260:Female D006761:Hospitals D006801:Humans D007630:Kenya D008297:Male D017060:Patient Satisfaction D011787:Quality of Health Care D012737:Sex Factors
Patient satisfaction sub-Saharan Africa global health underserved population