Background: Continuous quality improvement is linked to the use of timely and useful feedback from clients in HIV care. HIV experts and care professionals agree that consumer involvement, such as patient satisfaction survey, is an essential part of HIV care and policy making today. The introduction of Antiretroviral Drugs (ARTs) services in Nigeria has significantly impacted positively on the overall well being of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs). However, there is little understanding of their satisfaction and perception of quality of care provided.
Objective: This study comparatively assessed patients' satisfaction with ambulatory HIV/AIDS care in secondary and tertiary health facilities in Anambra State.
Methods: This was a descriptive comparative crosssectional
study of 300 PLWHAs conducted at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi (150) and at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Hospital (SCBH), Onitsha (150). Sample selection was by systematic sampling technique whereby every 3rd patient registered to see the doctor each day was recruited. Data was collected using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 13.
Results: Patients in Nnewi were more likely to spend more 2 money on transport (÷ = 33.36, p=0.0001), while those in Onitsha were more likely to incur more expenses on non-HIV 2 tests (÷ = 5.73, p=0.017). Patients visiting the tertiary health facility were significantly more satisfied with access to care than those visiting the secondary health care facility were, (
