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Background: The Ministry of Health of Ghana, over the last few decades, has resolved to improve the quality of healthcare delivery to enhance patients' satisfaction. However, there are challenges in the realization of this objective, especially in the private healthcare sector where the government has minimal control over. Objective: To assess patient satisfaction with service quality at Sonotech Medical and Diagnostic Centres, a private hospital in the Greater Accra Region. Methodology: The study adopted a facility-based cross-sectional study design using quantitative methods to gather data from 396 respondents using multistage sampling techniques. Stata version 16 was used to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the socio-demographic, healthcare facility factors [independent variables]. Multiple linear regression was used to assess the association between the independent variables and dependent variable [patient satisfaction]. Statistical significance was measured at p<0.05. Results: The level of patients' satisfaction was high (M=4.039, SD=1.099). All service quality dimensions: [(tangibility (M=4.009, SD=0.965), assurance (M=3.992, SD=1.010), reliability (M=3.904, SD=1.122), responsiveness (M=3.889, SD=1.014), and empathy (M=3.869, SD=1.065)] recorded high scores. The study found that age (β = 0.586; p = 0.024), income (β=0.425; p=0.028), and branch of the facility (β=0.251; p=0.083) significantly influenced patient satisfaction with service quality. The study found that service quality/healthcare factors such as responsiveness β= 0. 028; p = 0. 013), assurance (β= 0.032; p = 0.007), and tangibility (β =0.17; p=0.043) were significantly associated with patient satisfaction. Conclusion: Patient satisfaction with service quality was influenced by responsiveness, assurance, and tangibility. The study concludes that the management of Sonotech Medical and Diagnostic Centres would have to pay close attention to the components under the dimensions of tangibility, assurance, and responsiveness as they remain key determinants of patients' satisfaction. Policymakers in the healthcare sector could also use these indicators to intensify collaboration with healthcare providers in the private sector to develop strategies to enhance the quality of care delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Ghana Health Service has been implementing the Directly Observed Therapy Short Course (DOTS) strategy for decades now, to cure and reduce the transmission of tuberculosis. DOTS strategy requires TB patients and their treatment supporters to make multiple c linic visits in the course of treatment, and this may place financial burden on treatment supporters with low socio-economic status. However, the determinants of tuberculosis treatment support costs to treatment supporters are unknown in Ghana. Objectives: This study determined the costs associated with treatment support to the treatment supporters in Bono Region, Ghana. Methods: In a cross-sectional study using cost-of-illness approach, 385 treatment supporters were selected and interviewed. A validated questionnaire for the direct and indirect cost s incurred was used. Descriptive statistics and bivariate techniques were used for data analysis. Results: Averagely, each treatment supporter spent GHS 122.4 (US$ 21.1) on treatment support activities per month, which is about 19% of their monthly income. The findings also revealed that highest level of education, household size, monthly income and district of residence were significant predictors of the direct costs. On the other hand, gender of the respondents, highest level of education, ethnicity, household size, income level and relationship with patient were some of the factors that significantly influenced the indirect costs. The significance levels were set at a 95% confidence interval and p < 0.05. Conclusion: The study concludes that the estimated cost associated with assisting tuberculosis patients with treatment is significant to treatment supporters. If these costs are not mitigated, they have the tendency of affecting the socio-economic status and welfare of individuals assisting tuberculosis patients with treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed factors that influence access to quality health care among a prison population nearing its release in Ghana. A structured quantitative questionnaire was administered to 200 inmates using a total population sampling. Gap analysis was performed between inmate expectations and perceptions of health provider factors to determine quality. There was an overall negative gap due to expectations exceeding perceptions. This article recommends that a policy document on the health and welfare of inmates be developed and implemented to improve their access to quality health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drug use is one of the global public health issues, and its accompanying disorders have consequences on people's mental, physical, and environmental health. Nevertheless, the majority of people who use drugs have never been treated for drug dependence and other health conditions whilst others discontinue their treatment for drug use disorder. Using the health belief model, the study aimed at exploring facilitators and barriers to health-seeking among people who use drugs in the Sunyani Municipality of Ghana. A descriptive study design was used, employing a qualitative approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 22 participants, including two key informants (male and female). The first group of participants was recruited from the ghetto (an area in the municipality where people who use drugs are usually located). The other group of participants was recruited using hospital-based records. The interview data were transcribed, coded, and analysed for the generation of themes with the aid of Nvivo version 12 pro. The results showed that people who use drugs face health challenges such as drug dependence, malaria, lungs and breathing complications, cardiovascular complications, and skin complications. People who use drugs experienced poor perceived quality of life and low health status. Health-seeking behaviours of interviewees were influenced by the perceived benefit, perceived severity, cues to action, among others. Multiple sources of healthcare were used by the people who use drugs. Whereas ease of communication, perceived severity, benefit, among others were facilitators to their health-seeking behaviours, cost, dwindling social support, lack of knowledge of the condition, and fear of arrest by law enforcement agencies also served as barriers to seeking healthcare at the orthodox health facilities. This paper suggests a holistic approach to help improve the health and health-seeking behaviours of people who use drugs. The researchers wish to indicate that an earlier version of this manuscript has been presented at the University of Ghana as a thesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how strategies are put in place to formulate policies regarding the introduction and implementation of relationship marketing (RM) in the health sector, and how RM strategies are designed as part of the curricula for the training of prospective health professionals in Ghana. Design/methodology/approach Data were gathered using interviews and documentary review. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit policy makers and health educationists in Accra for in-depth interviews. Qualitative interviews were analysed using framework analysis. Findings The findings revealed that, currently, there is no policy framework on RM in the health sector nor included in the curricula of health training institutions in the country. Research limitations/implications Due to limited time and funding constraints, the study could not include many policy makers, educationists, health providers, facilities and regions outside the Greater Accra region of Ghana. This means that the authors missed out on useful insights from other relevant policy makers/educationists who would have added to the knowledge that this study contributes. There were still some areas that this study could not cover, including the lack of an exploration of the perceptions of health providers and patients. Practical implications Evidence from the current research provides the basis for scaling up of a similar study to the whole country to address the perennial RM or quality of care/patient satisfaction issues persisting in health facilities in the country. The outcome of this large-scale study would help to confirm the findings of the current study on the adoption and incorporation of RM into both policy framework and curricula of health training institutions in Ghana. The findings would culminate in the preparation and utilisation of guidelines on RM for client-centred service delivery in the health sector of the country. Social implications This paper argues that RM orientation could enable health professionals to improve upon their healthcare service performance and quality of care so as to enhance patient satisfaction. Originality/value The study recommends that RM should be adopted by health policy makers and designers of curricula for health training institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT There are many constraints to implementing comprehensive health insurance in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa. Mutual health organizations are under pressure to resolve the inadequacies, accordingly. The objective of this study is to explore the extent to which the mutual health organizations constitute facilitators and/or barriers to the successful implementation of the health insurance scheme nationwide. Data were gathered through interviews and review of literature. The findings of the empirical data were analyzed using theories of health seeking behaviour and reflexive communities. The findings of the paper suggest that the mutual health organizations are beneficial to their communities as they have broadened the understanding of the community members, regarding what the concept of health insurance was in Ghana, a country where it was a relatively new concept in public health financing and delivery. However, the paper also observes that the mutual health organizations are facing problems that are likely to affect sustainability overtime under a national health insurance scheme. Therefore, the need for continuous public education to sustain the enthusiasm among community members is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of social dynamics on the performance of mutual health organisations (MHOs) exploring the influence of community wealth and community leadership on policy implementation.Design/methodology/approach: Four operating district mutual health insurance schemes were selected using geographical locations, among other criteria, as case studies. Data were gathered through interviews and documentary review. The findings were analysed using community field and social capital theories.Findings: Traditional leaders like the Chiefs serve as the pivot around which social and human capital of the communities revolve in the developmental process of the country.Research Limitations/implications: Lack of exhaustive examination of the financial and institutional viability issues of the MHOs. Future studies could assess the interplay between financial, institutional and social viability models when measuring the financial and overall sustainability of MHOs.Practical Implications: Health policy makers need to involve traditional leaders in the formulation and implementation of national policies since their acceptance or rejection of central government policy could have negative consequences.Social Implications: Ghana is a dynamic country and there is the need to utilise existing social networks: inter-family and inter-tribal relationships to ensure the viability of MHOs.Originality/value: There is and can be a successful interplay between public sector funding and community sector revenue mobilisation for financing the health sector in Ghana. This justifies the complementarity between government funding and community's resource mobilisation efforts in the health sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore challenges to the performance and sustainability of mutual health organisations (MHOs) and health institutions towards enhancing access to quality health care (HC) in Ghana.Design/methodology/approach: Data were gathered through interviews and documentary review.Findings: Problems with late release of reimbursement funds for discharging with claims by the central government has impacted heavily on the financial and strategic management and decision-making processes of the MHOs and health institutions.Research Limitations/implications: The lack of in-depth analysis of the financial viability of the MHOs; and the limited number of schemes selected.Practical Implications: Recommends the need to ensure prompt release of reimbursement funds by government to enable the MHOs to reimburse claims to health institutions.Social Implications: There is a perceived tension between the MHOs and HC institutions due to late release of reimbursement funds by the government.Originality/value: Contributes to understanding of how the NHI Act influences the operations of MHOs and health institutions towards increasing access to quality HC and financing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]