Correlates of Outpatient Health Care Services in an Upcountry Referral Hospital in Uganda: Management Revival Strategies

The study investigated the correlates of outpatient health care service at Iganga referral hospital using data that was initially collected on resource availability and patient care in the hospital. The objective was to establish the variables that correlate with outpatient health care services offered in the different units and departments of the hospital. The results indicate that the significant correlations of outpatient health care services at the hospital with, (1) child health services (r =.466**, p less than 0.0001), (2) maternal health services (r =.420**, p less than 0.0001), (3) STI/HIV/AIDS services (r =.304**, p less than 0.010), (4) tuberculosis services (r =.510**, p less than 0.0001), (5) equipment, drugs and facilities (r =.422**, p less than 0.0001), (6) adequate supervision (r =.459**, p less than 0.0001), (7) infrastructure (r =.463**, p less than 0.0001), (8) staff training and development (r =.283*, p less than 0.017), (9) sanitation facilities (r =.317**, p less than 0.007). In addition, the regression results indicate that there is one significant determinant of outpatient health care services which is patient care and attention ( =.426, T = 3.107, P less than 0.003). Based on these results, it was recommended that referral hospitals in Uganda should be well managed and funded to offer regular treatment to outpatients and ensure as investigated, that doctors and drugs are readily available to patients who seek services from the hospital. Similarly, it is critical for hospital management to ensure adequate supervision, quality sanitation facilities, enough physical infrastructures and have training and development for significant outpatient health care services.