Assessment of the user characteristics of the out- patient service of Jimma Hospital

Abstract

Abstract:

A survey to assess users' characteristics of the out-patient (OPD) Service of Jimma Hospital (South West Ethiopia) was undertaken during 1-15 August 1993. A total of 1256 patients who reported to OPD services during the day and night, including emergency hours, were interviewed using a structured questionnaire to examine socio-demographic factors, reasons for hospital visit and others. Among the 1256 interviewed 76.6% were from Jimma town and 12.7% were referred from other health institutions, 52.9% were females; 63.5% were married; 7.3% have a family size of > 10 and 74.5% patients travelled for less than one hour while 2.6% travelled more than 12 hours to reach the Hospital. It was also found out that 11.8%,49.3% and 11.8% sought medical help within 24 hours, 1-7 weeks and 12 weeks, respectively. Age, sex and inefficient referral system were found to have significant effect on the utilization of the OPD services of Jimma Hospital. [Ethiop. I. Health Dev. 1996;10(2):111-115]