Evaluation of Quality of Tuberculosis Care in Limmu Genet District Hospital, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Despite many efforts to put TB under control, even now the disease remains to be a major public health problem. However, little is known about the quality of tuberculosis (TB) service delivery and patient’s perspective  with the service in Hospitals in Ethiopia in general and the study area in particular. Objective: To assess the quality of diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) provided at the Limmu Genet District Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia.Evaluation questions: The evaluation was aimed to answer the following questions: Were all the necessary resources available for the TB care in Limmu Genet Hospital? How was the compliance of TB care practice in Limmu Genet Hospital with the national guidelines?  Were TB patients at Limmu Genet Hospital accommodated with the service they received?Methods: A descriptive case study was conducted at Limmu Genet District Hospital. The   data collection methods included record review, patient exit interview, observation, and in-depth interview of DOTS providers. In order to assure accuracy standard, data collectors were trained and pre test was done. Descriptive statistics was used to measure both objective indicators and sub objective indicators of quality. The qualitative data were transcribed and organized on the basis of emerging themes and sub-themes. Result: Majority of the resources recommended by the TBLCP national guideline including AFB reagents and materials and anti-TB drug, were available for the TB care in Limmu Genet Hospital. The overall compliance score to the TBLCP national guideline was good. However 16.1% of patients were inappropriately categorized for Tuberculosis type and 13.4 % of patients were prescribed in appropriate dosage. Conclusions and Recommendation: Separate and confidential waiting room, confidential counseling room and separate room for AFB examination were not available. The evaluation finding for availability dimension was found to be “Good” (in the range of 70-84%).: DOTS providers have to strictly follow the national guideline when opening new AFB reagent and prescribing the correct dose of drugs according to their weight in Limmu Genet Hospital.