Key result
Health insurance coverage was associated with a non-significant increase in overall mean satisfaction scores (74.1 vs 69.3, p=0.417) compared to uninsured patients with systemic hypertension.
Why the study?
Patient satisfaction is an important indicator of healthcare quality and service performance, but its comparison between insured and uninsured patients with systemic hypertension required assessment.
Does health insurance coverage improve patient satisfaction with the quality of care in patients with systemic hypertension?
Cross-Sectional (n=190)
No
Does health insurance coverage improve patient satisfaction with the quality of care in patients with systemic hypertension?
Absolute Event Rate: 74.1% vs 69.3%
p-value: p=0.417
Health insurance significantly improves patient satisfaction regarding waiting time and costs among hypertensive patients in Nigeria, despite similar overall satisfaction scores.
Insured patients reported higher satisfaction with costs and waits; cross-sectional data leaves open whether insurance expansion improves hypertension care quality.
Background: Patient satisfaction is an important indicator used to measure quality of care and the performance of healthcare services. This study assessed patient satisfaction with the quality of hypertension care received by both insured and uninsured patients with systemic hypertension. Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among insured and uninsured patients with systemic hypertension attending the Medical Outpatient Department clinics of the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State, Nigeria, from May to July, 2023. Data were collected from 95 patients from each group, selected by systematic random sampling; using an interviewer-administered, anonymous, structured close ended questionnaire. Different aspects of the healthcare services were assessed; these include patient registration process, waiting time, staff attitudes, laboratory services, availability and cost of prescribed drugs etc. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0 software. Results: The insured patients with systemic hypertension had a higher overall mean satisfaction (74.1±20.8) compared to the uninsured group (69.3±23.2), though this was not statistically significant (p value = 0.417). However, the insured patients with systemic hypertension had significant satisfaction scores compared to uninsured hypertensive group in the domains of waiting time (63.6 ± 24.9 vs 48.0 ± 25.8, p=0.000), drug cost and availability (73.9 ± 24.1 vs 56.2 ± 25.0, p=0.000), and cost of service and care (74.1±24.0 vs 59.8±26.0, p=0.000). Conclusions: This study concluded that both insured and uninsured patients with systemic hypertension had comparable treatment, though the insured group had some better satisfaction scores in some of the assessed healthcare domains. The healthcare policy makers should endeavour to improve health insurance coverage, and utilize identified factors in policy formulation and implementation to encourage utilization of health insurance among patients.
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Agede et al. (2024) conducted a cross-sectional in Systemic hypertension (n=190). Health insurance vs. Uninsured (out-of-pocket payment) was evaluated on Overall mean satisfaction score (p=0.417). Health insurance coverage was associated with a non-significant increase in overall mean satisfaction scores (74.1 vs 69.3, p=0.417) compared to uninsured patients with systemic hypertension.
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