Patient satisfaction with healthcare services influences health-related quality of life in patients living with HIV/AIDS in urban Uganda

This study aimed to determine whether higher patient satisfaction with healthcare was associated with improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes among adult patients living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART). This cross-sectional study was conducted at a specialised clinic in Kampala, Uganda, in July-August 2015. The Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and System (CAHPS) instrument was used to measure patient satisfaction, and the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health survey (MOS-HIV) was used to determine Physical and Mental Health Summary scores (PHS and MHS, respectively) of HRQoL. Multivariable logistic and linear regression were used to examine associations between patient satisfaction and PHS and MHS scores. Higher scores on PHS and MHS were reported by 364 (79%) and 320 participants (70%), respectively. Patient satisfaction with the facility was independently associated with higher PHS (OR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.60-4.33) and MHS (OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.27-3.06), and promoters of the clinic had higher scores on PHS (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.06-2.87) and MHS (OR = 3.68, 95% CI: 2.33-5.93). Patient satisfaction with the facility was associated with higher HRQoL, suggesting that strengthening service quality could bolster patient satisfaction and HRQoL among PLWHA receiving ART.