title: Refugee perceptions of the quality of healthcare: findings from a participatory assessment in Ngara, Tanzania.
abstract: This article describes the findings of a participatory assessment of Burundian and Rwandan refugees' perceptions of the quality of health services in camps in Ngara, Tanzania. Taking a beneficiary-centred approach, it examines a collaborative effort by several agencies to develop a generic field guide to analyse refugees' views of healthcare services. The objective was to gather information that would contribute to significant improvements in the care offered in the camps. Although the primary focus was on healthcare, several broader questions considered other general apprehensions that might influence the way refugees perceive their healthcare. Findings indicated that while refugees in Ngara were generally satisfied with the quality of healthcare provided and healthcare promotion activities, recognition of some key refugee concerns would assist healthcare providers in enhancing services. With increasing need for refugee community participation in evaluating humanitarian assistance, this assessment has relevance both in the context of Ngara and beyond.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian People's Aid (NPA), Ngara, Tanzania. erutta@msh.org
authors.forename: Edmund
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rutta
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Andwele
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mwansasu
authors.forename: Fredrick
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mung'ong'o
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Ramadhani
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gongo
authors.forename: Rwegasira
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Veneranda
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Qassim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005655:Funeral Rites / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012036:Refugees / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D013636:Tanzania