Caregivers' perception of the quality of nursing care in child health care services of the University College Hospital, Nigeria

Abstract

The health care system has increasingly emphasized consumers' satisfaction in developing models of health care quality. Among health professionals, nurses spend more time with patients, hence, the measure of consumers' perception of quality nursing care is crucial. Children are vulnerable and unable to effectively express their views; hence, their caregivers often serve as their decision makers.This study aimed to assess caregivers' perception of the quality of nursing care in child health care services. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted using a stratified sampling technique to recruit 308 caregivers attending Immunization and Child welfare clinics of University College Hospital, Nigeria. Participants were surveyed using an adapted version of the Patient Satisfaction with Nursing Care Quality Questionnaire (PSNCQQ) which was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at a 0.05 level of significance. A large percentage of the caregivers were female (86.9%)."Concern and caring by the nurses", "recognition of carers' needs", "coordination of care" and "privacy" were perceived to be fair (50.2%, 54.9%, 56.3%, 57%) while "clarity about instructions given", "helpfulness", "skill and competence" were perceived to be good (61.7%, 56.3%, 63.8%).The age, occupation, and marital status of the caregivers had a significant association with their perception of nursing care (p<0.05). The attitudes of nurses regarding concern, caring and privacy were perceived to be fair as compared with the skill and competence of nurses which were perceived to be good. Although caregivers had an overall average perception of quality of nursing care, more efforts should be geared towards improving on areas that were fair, like care and concern, courtesy, friendliness, and kindness, which are central to nursing as a caring profession. Good interpersonal relationships and acknowledgment of caregivers as decision-makers in health care which were perceived to be inadequate in this study are key factors that drive a good perception of quality nursing care. Nurses must continue to provide inclusive quality care where caregivers are seen as significant contributors to health care.

Keywords: Caregiver; Child health care services; Perception; Quality of nursing care.