Accessibility and TB patient satisfaction in Nigeria

Int J Tuberc Lung Dis. 2024 Dec 1;28(12):585-591. doi: 10.5588/ijtld.24.0314.

Abstract

<sec><title>BACKGROUND</title>Nigeria ranks first in Africa and sixth among countries with a high Tuberculosis burden globally. The increasing incidence of drug resistance following poor treatment adherence among drug-susceptible TB (DS-TB) patients necessitates reviewing TB services in Nigeria. This study explored accessibility and patient-reported experiences in newly established TB treatment facilities.</sec><sec><title>METHODS</title>In this comparative cross-sectional analytic study, we administered the Patient Reported Experience Measure (PREM) questionnaire to 430 patients with DS-TB in 27 public and 18 private newly engaged facilities in Osun, Nigeria. Data were analysed using R Software.</sec><sec><title>RESULTS</title>Private facilities were more accessible (n = 210, 97.2% vs n = 194, 90.7%; P = 0.004) and offered more satisfactory services (n = 209, 96.8% vs n = 194, 90.7%; P = 0.009). More patients in public facilities could not afford transportation costs (52.6% vs 35.8%; P = 0.007), and payment for services was higher in private facilities (P < 0.001). After adjusting for covariates, the odds of experiencing satisfactory services were 3.12 times higher in private facilities (OR 3.12, 95%CI 1.19-8.15). Time-to-facility, marital status, and facility type predict patients' experience.</sec><sec><title>CONCLUSION</title>Private facilities were more accessible and offered more satisfactory services. National TB programmes should decentralise TB services to private facilities and address gaps in public facilities.</sec>.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antitubercular Agents / administration & dosage
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Services Accessibility*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nigeria
  • Patient Satisfaction* / statistics & numerical data
  • Private Facilities
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tuberculosis* / drug therapy
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antitubercular Agents