Patient satisfaction in the public hospitals of Hillah (Iraq): a survey

Authors

  • Enass Najem Oubaid
  • Noor Anwer Abdulameer
  • Abeer T. Watife
  • Fatima Adnan Alzubaidi
  • Hajir Karim Abdul-Husseein
  • Fatima M. Al Jubouri
  • Hiba F. Al-Shuaibi
  • Ammar Abdulkareem Hadi Azzam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60988/p.v37i2S.236

Keywords:

patient satisfaction; health services; healthcare quality; patient experience; service delivery

Abstract

Patient satisfaction is a critical metric for healthcare systems, prompting hospitals and clinical practices to prioritize it as a strategic objective. This study, conducted in Al Hilla City, Iraq, assessed patient satisfaction with public hospital services and examined associated sociodemographic factors. The survey was carried out in primary healthcare facilities across Al Hilla City between February 5 and February 21, 2024, focusing on four governmental hospitals. Findings revealed that 40% of respondents considered specialized services to be accessible, while 15.3% expressed overall dissatisfaction. Regarding treatment adequacy, 36.7% strongly agreed and 46.7% agreed that their treatment was appropriate. Patient perceptions also highlighted healthcare personnel attentiveness (46.7% agreement), wait times (36% agreement, 16.7% strong agreement), and dissatisfaction with prolonged waiting periods (54%). Furthermore, 52.7% agreed and 12% strongly agreed that treatments were delivered in a rushed manner. Timely assessment of patient satisfaction is essential for enhancing care quality and guiding targeted improvements in healthcare facilities.

Author Biographies

Enass Najem Oubaid

Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Babylon, Hillah, Iraq

Noor Anwer Abdulameer

Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Babylon, Hillah, Iraq

Abeer T. Watife

Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Babylon, Hillah, Iraq

Fatima Adnan Alzubaidi

Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Babylon, Hillah, Iraq

Hajir Karim Abdul-Husseein

Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Babylon, Hillah, Iraq

Fatima M. Al Jubouri

Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Babylon, Hillah, Iraq

Hiba F. Al-Shuaibi

Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Babylon, Hillah, Iraq

Ammar Abdulkareem Hadi Azzam

Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, University of Babylon, Hillah, Iraq

References

1. Abd Sa’adoon A., Hussien A.H., Museher T.R. Patients’ satisfaction for health care services at Thi-Qar province, Iraq. Thi-Qar Med. J. 2(1), 39–45, 2008.

2. Lochoro P. Measuring patient satisfaction in UCMB health institutions. Health Policy Dev. 2(3), 243–248, 2004.

3. Alenazi A.A.R., Alhazmi T.M.A., Almatrafi A.R.H., Alshammari M.B.A. Patient’s satisfaction with primary health care services in Arar city, Saudi Arabia. Med. Sci. 25(113), 1558–1566, 2021.

4. Qadir D.O., Qader S.S., Al-Banna D.A., Rasool A.A., Shakor J.K. Patient’s satisfaction with health care services in Erbil City/Iraq. Erbil J. Nurs. Midwifery 3(2), 119–125, 2020. DOI: 10.15218/ejnm.2020.14

5. Al-Doghaither A.H., Saeed A.A. Consumers’ satisfaction with primary health services in the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med. J. 21(5), 447–454, 2000.

6. Al-Sakkak M.A., Al-Nowaiser N.A., Al-Khashan H.I., Al-Abdrabulnabi A.A., Jaber R.M. Patient satisfaction with primary health care services in Riyadh. Saudi Med. J. 29(3), 432–436, 2008.

7. Maharlouei N., Akbari M., Akbari M., Lankarani K.B. Socioeconomic status and satisfaction with public healthcare system in Iran. Int. J. Community Based Nurs. Midwifery 5(1), 22–29, 2017.

8. Macki M., Alvi M.A., Kerezoudis P., Xiao S., Schultz L., Bazydlo M., et al. Predictors of patient dissatisfaction at 1 and 2 years after lumbar surgery. J. Neurosurg. Spine 32(3), 373–382, 2019. DOI: 10.3171/2019.8.SPINE19260

9. Mohamed E.Y., Sami W., Alotaibi A., Alfarag A., Almutairi A., Alanzi F. Patients’ satisfaction with primary health care centers’ services, Majmaah, Kingdom of Saudi of Saudi Arabia. Int. J. Health Sci. (Qassim) 9(2), 163–170, 2015.

10. Weber A.S., Verjee M.A., Musson D., Iqbal N.A., Mosleh T.M., Zainel A.A., et al. Patient opinion of the doctor-patient relationship in a public hospital in Qatar. Saudi Med. J. 32(3), 293–299, 2011.

Downloads

Published

10-10-2025

How to Cite

[1]
Oubaid, E.N. et al. 2025. Patient satisfaction in the public hospitals of Hillah (Iraq): a survey. Pharmakeftiki . 37, 2S (Oct. 2025). DOI:https://doi.org/10.60988/p.v37i2S.236.