Patient Satisfaction and Associated Factors in a Tertiary Hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background Patient satisfaction is an important indicator of perceived healthcare quality and patient-centred care. However, evidence integrating interpersonal, technical, organisational and access-related dimensions of satisfaction in Nigerian tertiary hospitals remains limited. This study assessed factors associated with patient satisfaction across selected service domains in a tertiary hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods A hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 adult patients receiving care across seven departments. Patients were selected using systematic sampling, while 70 healthcare workers were purposively recruited for contextual assessment. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Overall satisfaction was classified as satisfied or dissatisfied, with neutral responses classified with dissatisfied responses. Associations were examined using chi-square tests and binary logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated from a comprehensive multivariable model. Results Among 350 patients, 267 (76.3%) were satisfied and 83 (23.7%) dissatisfied. Bivariate analyses demonstrated significant associations between satisfaction and multiple service-quality, infrastructure, staff-related, communication and financial-accessibility factors. In the final comprehensive model, satisfaction was independently associated with dignity and respect (AOR = 10.29, 95% CI: 4.32–24.50), access to medical specialists (AOR = 4.97, 95% CI: 2.26–10.96), and functional equipment (AOR = 4.09, 95% CI: 1.70–9.84). Patients aged 31–35 years had higher odds of satisfaction than those aged 18–24 years (AOR = 5.50, 95% CI: 1.35–22.34), while post-tertiary education was associated with lower odds (AOR = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.02–0.90). Gender, marital status and department were not independently associated with satisfaction. The final model was statistically significant (likelihood-ratio χ²(18) = 151.10, p < 0.001). Department and waiting time were significantly associated with satisfaction at bivariate level. Patients strongly endorsed transparent billing (97.4%), modern equipment (96.9%) and shorter waiting times (96.3%). Conclusion Patient satisfaction reflected multiple dimensions of tertiary healthcare delivery, with dignity and respect, specialist access and functional equipment emerging as independent correlates. Quality-improvement efforts should prioritise respectful patient-centred care, functional resources and access to specialist services while addressing broader service, communication and financial-accessibility concerns. (Fig. 1)