Perception Of Medical Negligence and Safety Outcome Among Residents of Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria.

Medical negligence remains a significant challenge to patient safety and healthcare quality in Nigeria, particularly in resource-constrained settings. This study examined the prevalence, perceived causes, and consequences of medical negligence among residents of Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.The study was guided by Systems Theory and Human Factors Theory and adopted a descriptive survey design with a mixed-methods approach. A total of 400 respondents were selected, of which 386 valid questionnaires were analysed, while 15 maternity patients participated in in-depth interviews. A total of 400 respondents were selected, of which 386 valid questionnaires were analysed, while 15 maternity patients participated in in-depth interviews. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The findings revealed that medical negligence is widely perceived as a recurring problem, particularly in the form of delayed diagnosis and treatment, medication errors, and inadequate communication between healthcare providers and patients. Respondents identified staff shortages, excessive workload, inadequate supervision, poor coordination, and lack of essential medical equipment as the major causes of medical negligence. The study further established that medical negligence contributes to worsening health conditions, prolonged hospitalisation, increased financial burden, and loss of public trust in healthcare services. The qualitative findings supported these results by demonstrating that patients frequently experienced delays in care and expressed concerns about the quality and safety of healthcare services. The study concludes that medical negligence is largely driven by systemic weaknesses within healthcare facilities. It recommends strengthening healthcare workforce capacity, improving supervision and continuous professional training, ensuring adequate provision of essential medical equipment, and implementing effective patient safety and quality assurance mechanisms to improve healthcare delivery and patient safety outcomes in Dekina Local Government Area.