Attitude and Satisfaction of in-Patients Toward Hospital Meals at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano

Abstract

Nutrients are essential to support the growth and healing of sick individuals. Most hospital provides meals for admitted patients.  Sometimes these meals are not taken by these patients due to one reason or the other. Patients' satisfaction with hospital meals could  play a role in the quality of care rendered.

Aim: This study aimed to assess patients' attitudes and satisfaction with meals served to  inpatients at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital.

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to collect data from one hundred and thirty-one respondents utilizing a self-structured questionnaire. Data analysis was analyzed using simple descriptive statistics and  results were presented in frequency and percentages.

Results: The mean age of respondents was 41.5±5years, the majority are female  53.4%, married 66.4%, Hausa/Fulani 78.6% and have no formal education 33.4%. The preferred meal was home 68.7% and 62.6% were  never asked about their choice of meal. The majority of the respondents 72.5% were satisfied with the hospital meal. There was no  significant relationship between the level of income and satisfaction with hospital meals (X² = 5.934; p = 0.115).

Conclusion: Most patients are satisfied with the hospital meal. There was no relationship between income and satisfaction with hospital meals. It is recommended  that patients be involved with the choice of meal served as this will enhance the taking of hospital meals and also help in quick healing  and quality of care.