Quality of Health Care in Private Clinics in Addis Ababa
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Date
2000-12
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Involvement of the private sector in provision of health services has progressively increased
in many developing countries including Ethiopia. Promotion of the private sector
involvement is also one of the health care financing strategy in Ethiopia.
A cross sectional descriptive study was done on Quality of Care in private clinics in Addis
Ababa in April, 2000. Different levels of clinics were randomly selected and assessments
were done on structural aspects, performance of health workers in polyclinic outpatient
department and patients satisfaction with the different aspects of care given.
It was found that most clinics fulfill the structural requirements of the MOH with regard to
staffing, equipment and medications. Neverthless few clinics were found not to fulfill the
minimum requirements put in the guideline. With regard to performance, various aspects of
mal performance were observed where the highest problem was concerning treatments given
to patients.Thirty seven percent of treatments given to patients were rated to be
unacceptable. Over prescription of antibiotics and injections was also found specially in
small clinics. Patients were generally satisfied in all aspects of medical care where highest
satisfaction was in relation to courtesy of providers and relatively lower satisfaction with
cost.
Findings are discussed in comparision with findings in public and private health facilities in
Ethiopia and other countries. It is recommended that regulation be strengthened. Inclusion
of the assessment of process of care in quality control measures is also recommended.
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Quality of Health Care in Private