Service Quality Domains Impelling Patient’s Return Intentions in Nisa Premier Hospital Abuja

Nisa Premier Hospital (Nisa) is a private for-profit hospital established in 1996 in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja Nigeria. The main purpose of this workis to provide an efficient tool for determining the domains of SERVQUAL that influences patients return intentions in a typical privately owned hospital in Nigeria that is striving towards world class standard. The study adopted across-sectional and case study sample based survey design using a modified SERVQUAL structured questionnaire. A total of 205 questionnaires were analysed in this study, thereby yielding a valid response rate of about 46%. Results of the percentage distribution of items within each domain that influenced patients return intention were rated in the following order; Tangibles (83%), Assurance (77%), Empathy (72), Responsiveness (74%) and Reliability (66%). Binary logistics regression analysis following six-sigma quality improvement methodologyenhanced the modelling approach and indicated two items within the five domains of SERVQUAL, i.e. reliability and empathy with p-values <.05 as responsible for the return intentions. The means by which patients financetheir healthcare did not influence this. However, findings from the study indicated that the employees sympathetic, reassuring and putting patients’ best interests at heart were the key factors influencing patient return intention at Nisa. Suggested improvement strategy entails improving areas of shortfalls, fostering the domain items noted as point of strength, developing new items within the SERVQUAL domains and revalidate findings periodically. It isanticipated that findings from this study can be adapted to other similar business concern in the healthcare industry

Levels of Fe and Zn in Staple Cereals: Micronutrient Deficiency Implications in Rural Northeast Nigeria

Abstract Maize, millet, rice and sorghum are staple cereals and major source of micronutrients for rural dwellers of Northeast Nigeria. These cereals were randomly sampled form the open markets and investigated for the levels of Iron (Fe) and Zinc (Zn) with a view to provide supportive monitoring information on possible dietary deficiency implications. The standard calibration method of flame atomic absorption spectrometry was used for the determination of Fe and Zn in the cereals. The results of the analysis show average Fe concentrations in cereals: Millet (10.28±2.38µg/g), Maize (5.26± 1.41µg/g), Sorghum (11.03±5.32µg/g) and Rice (6.67±5.94µg/g), and average Zn concentrations in cereals, Millet (5.89±0.88µg/g), Maize (3.92±0.91µg/g), Sorghum (3.84±0.92µg/g), Rice (1.80±0.32µg/g). This study revealed low levels of Zn and Fe in the cereal grains from the study areas, an observation that might be a risk factor for micronutrient malnutrition in the populations of rural dwellers of this region that depend so much on these cereals in their diets. Thus although exposure effects could be additive for Fe where similar foods are eaten, the Zn and Fe contents of the cereal grains may also be hampered from full absorption in the body due to lack of aiding diet components and certain cultural practices