title: Patient satisfaction at accredited antiretroviral treatment sites in the Gert Sibande District.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patient satisfaction has been used as a significant indicator of quality services provided by healthcare personnel. With the largest antiretroviral therapy (ART) programme in the world, the healthcare industry is struggling increasingly with challenges of meeting patients' requirements and expectations for quality ART service provision. This study was conducted in order to identify the importance of factors contributing to satisfaction or dissatisfaction.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to explore and describe the general satisfaction or dissatisfaction of patients with accredited ART hospital sites at public health facilities in the Gert Sibande District, Mpumalanga and to identify factors contributing to either satisfaction or dissatisfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six hospitals that initiated ART in the district, participated in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was conducted using a sample of 300 patients. Proportional random sampling was used in selecting the number of patients from each facility. A structured interview with each participating patient was conducted using a standardised structured questionnaire. The first available required number of patients that complied with requirements from each of the six hospitals was selected for the interview. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data and data with qualitative aspects were captured and categorised manually.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The major factors contributing to satisfaction included the availability of medicines and knowledge regarding how to take medication. Factors contributing to dissatisfaction on the part of the patients included confidentiality issues, long waiting periods, shortage of staff and dirty toilets.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicated general satisfaction with the ART-related services at the accredited ART hospital sites in the Gert Sibande District. Regular monitoring and evaluation are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Limpopo, Medunsa Campus. selente.bezuidenhout@ul.ac.za.
authors.forename: Selente
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bezuidenhout
authors.forename: Damilola A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Ogunsanwo
authors.forename: Elvera A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Helberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents