Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Determinants of Outpatients Waiting Time at Hospitals in Phalga, Rivers State

Umazum Vera Robinson, Anthony Ike Wegbom, Adetomi Bademosi, Clement, Kevin Edet

Abstract

Waiting time is an important indicator of the quality of services received at hospitals. Long waiting times have been said to negatively influence healthcare utilization and affect patient satisfaction. This study assessed the average waiting time of outpatients and the determinants of outpatient waiting time in hospitals in PHALGA. This study utilized a facility-based cross- sectional design, and data were collected from outpatients in 14 hospitals using structured questionnaires. Mean was used to estimate the average waiting times, while multiple linear regression was used to determine the factors associated with waiting time. Study findings showed that average waiting times were longer in public hospitals (107.13 minutes, SD = 2.57) than in private hospitals (95.01 minutes, SD = 2.56). Factors influencing waiting time differed by hospital type. Age and type of service sought were significant determinants in both public and private hospitals. In public hospitals, visit status was significant with repeat visitors (8.42; CI = 6.42 - 12.84) having longer waiting times. In private hospitals, payment method was significant with patients who paid out of pocket (-5.13, CI = -15.34 to -2.14) having shorter waiting times. This study observed long waiting times in both public and private hospitals and these were caused by systemic inefficiencies. This study recommends establishing clear benchmarks for waiting times, implementing and adopting digital queue- management systems to reduce bottlenecks and enhance service delivery. Targeted equity measures such as, priority queues for older adults and financial support options for vulnerable groups, are recommended to reduce socio-demographic disparities.

Keywords

Waiting timeOutpatient DepartmentPublic HospitalsPrivate Hospitals.

References

Adebayo, T. T., Adeojo, M. B., Omole, S. M., Kayode, O. A., Rasaq, A. A., & Frederick, A. A. (2020). Patient satisfaction with service waiting time at a tertiary hospital in Southwest Nigeria. International Journal of Health Records & Information Management, 3(1). Akosu, T., Afolaranmi, T., & Odunze, P. (2020). Outpatient appointments and waiting time in a tertiary health facility in Jos. Journal of Epidemiological Society of Nigeria, 2(2), 91–96. https://jeson.org.ng/index.php/jeson/article/view/27 Al-Awar, D., & Al-Fehaidi, A, A. (2023). The effects of waiting time and satisfaction among patients visiting primary care services. Ali, M., Zubair, M., Noreen, K., Rashid, M., & Munir, S. (2017). Comparison of patient satisfaction with services of public and private tertiary care hospitals. Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal, 67(5), 682–687. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28839331/ Almusawi, M. A., Radwan, N. M., Mahmoud, N. E., Haji, M. E., Alabdulkareem, K. I. (2023). Patient waiting time at primary healthcare centers in Riyadh region, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study. Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Med J 5, 65–69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44229-023-00032-3 Alnasser, M. A., & Alotaibi, R. B. (2022). Impact of waiting time on patients' satisfaction and health care service quality at of hospital outpatient department. Multi-Knowledge Electronic Comprehensive Journal for Education and Science Publications . Issues (61) 2022. www.mecsj.com. Alrasheedi, K. F., Al-Mohaithef, M., Edrees, H. H., & Chandramohan, S. (2019). The association between wait times and patient satisfaction: findings from primary health centers in the kingdom of saudi arabia. Health services research and managerial epidemiology, 6, 2333392819861246. https://doi.org/10.1177/2333392819861246 Biya, M., Matebu, G., Bezawit, B., Kiddus, Y., Nigusu, G., & Waju, B., (2022). Waiting time and its associated factors in patients presenting to outpatient departments at public hospitals of Jimma zone, Southwest Ethiopia. BMC Health Services Research (2022) 22:107. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07502-8 Chollom, P. T., & Lyop, L. P. (2024). Hospital waiting time and patient satisfaction in public hospitals in North-Central Nigeria. FUWJSS Journal. Chu, H., Westbrook, R. A., Njue-Marendes, S., Giordano, T. P., & Dang, B. N. (2019). The psychology of the wait time experience – what clinics can do to manage the waiting experience for patients: A longitudinal, qualitative study. BMC Health Services Research, 19, Article 459. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-019-4301-0 Ekpe, E. E., & Peter, A. I. (2016). Surgical patient’s satisfaction with services at a tertiary hospital in south -south state of Nigeria. The Journal of Medical Research Research Article JMR, 2(25), 157–162. Accessible at http://www.medicinearticle.com/JMR_201625_08.pdf Enaworu, O., Orobator, E., Onuselogu, O., Awosan, W., Abiodun, F., Anuyah, S., Akingbola, A., Aja, A., & Amos, N. (2024). Assessment of Barriers to the Utilization of Primary Healthcare Services in Abuja, Nigeria. 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5645347/v1. Isaruk, J. I.-O.-E. D., & Isaruk, I.-O.-E. D. (2024). Influence of patients’ waiting time on satisfaction at the University of Port Harcourt teaching hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Direct Research Journal of Health and Pharmacology, 11(3), 56-61. https://journals.directresearchpublisher.org/index.php/drjhp/article/view/203 Kalwar, M. A., Memon, M. S., Khan, M. A., Tanwari, A. (2021). Statistical analysis of waiting time of patients by queuing techniques: case study of large hospital in Pakistan. J Appl Res Eng Technol & Engineering, 2(2), 101-112. https://doi.org/10.4995/jarte.2021.14741 Kemdirim, C. J., Uduak, A., Opurum, N., Hart, D., & Ogaji, D. S. (2021). Time-flow study for receipt of outpatient services in public and private hospitals: Implications for lean approach in health facilities in Rivers State, Nigeria. Niger Med J 2021;62;(6): 325- 333 Limiri, D. M. (2025). The impact of long wait times on patient health outcomes: The growing NHS crisis. Premier Journal of Public Health, 3:100020 McIntyre, D., & Chow, C. K. (2020). Waiting time as an indicator for health services under strain: A narrative review. Inquiry: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision and Financing, 57, 0046958020910305. https://doi.org/10.1177/0046958020910305 Ogaji, D. S., & Mezie-Okoye, M. M. (2017). Waiting time and patient satisfaction: Survey of patients seeking care at the general outpatient clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Port Harcourt Medical Journal, 11(3), 148–155. https://doi.org/10.4103/phmj.phmj_41_17. Seif, S., Shah, J., Chandani, A., Ali, S. K. (2025) the perception of waiting times on patient satisfaction and patient care: A cross-sectional study at a tertiary health care institution in Kenya. PLoS One 20(5): e0322015. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0322015 Ukizentaburuwe, J. M. V., Mukarwego, B., Kagimbangabo, J. M. V., Safari, E. (2021). Waiting time and associated factors among outpatients at Kibungo referral hospital, Rwanda. Rwanda Medical Journal, 78(2), 40-48. Umar, I., Oche, M. O., & Umar, A. S. (2011). Patient waiting time in a tertiary health institution in Northern Nigeria. Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology, 3(2), 78– 82. http://www.academicjournals.org/jphe Umoke, M. J., Umoke, P. C. I., Nwimo, I. O., Nwalieji, C. A., Onwe, R., Ifeanyi, N., & Olaoluwa, A. S. (2020). Patients’ satisfaction with quality of care in general hospitals in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, using SERVQUAL theory. SAGE Open Medicine, 8, 2050312120945129. https://doi.org/10.1177/2050312120945129 Usman, S., Olowoyeye, E., Olubayo, G., Ibijola, A., Tijani, A., Usman, I., Fatunmbi, O., Omisakin, C., & Temitope, I. (2020). Patient waiting time: Gaps and determinants of patients waiting time in hospitals in our communities to receive quality services. European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences. 2. 10.24018/ejmed.2020.2.1.136. Verma, K.R., Bansal, M. & Narang, M. (2022). Impact of waiting time on patient satisfaction. International Journal of Research in Engineering and Science , 10(4), 46 – 50. Wafula, Rebecca & Ayah, Richard. (2021). Factors associated with patient waiting time at a medical outpatient clinic: A case study of University of Nairobi Health Services. International Journal of Innovative Research in Medical Science. 6. 915-918. 10.23958/ijirms/vol06-i12/1307. World Health Organization . (2018). Delivering quality health services: A global imperative for universal health coverage. Am. J. Public Health, Vol. 15, no. 1, p. 9.

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH

Antibacterial Activity of Stem Bark Extract of Boswellia Odorata Against Some Isolates of Wound Among Patients Attending Selected Hospitals in Kano Metropolis

Author: Kamal Abdulkadir Muhammad, Ismaila Ahmed, Lawan Danjuma, Raliya Sulaiman, Dauda, Isah Musa Bebeji, Zubairu Sani Ibrahim, Yahaya Ubah Yau, Binta Kabir, Muhammad, and Mukhtar Aminu Bala, Corresponding author

Prevalence and Prevention of Health Problems Among Inmates in Agodi Gate Correctional Centre, Ibadan

Author: John Betiku, a, Oluwabunmi Hannah Aremo, b, Emmanuel Olusegun Abe, a, Rachael, Omotomilayo Ajayi, c, Adenike Kaosarat Alabi, d, Kelechi Princess John, d, orcid ---