Factors associated with discharge against medical advice among patients in University Of Calabar Teaching Hospital Calabar (UCTH)

Abstract

Objective: the main objective of this study was to investigate factors associated with discharge against medical advice among patients in UCTH. To achieve the aim of this study, the following hypotheses were formulated to direct the study. There is no significant relationship between patients’ factors associated with discharge against medical advice in UCTH. There is no significant relationship between medical staff factors associated with discharge against medical advice in UCTH. There is no significant relationship between hospital environmental factors associated with discharge against medical advice in UCTH. Literature related to the variables under study were reviewed accordingly.

Methods: Descriptive research design was adopted for the study. This research design was considered most appropriate because the researchers do not have direct control over the independent variables, they are inherently not manipulatable. A sample of one hundred and four respondents was randomly selected for the study. The selection was done through the simple random sampling technique. This was to give every member of the population area equal and independent opportunity to be selected for the study. The questionnaire was the main instrument used for data collection. The instrument was subjected to face and content validation by experts in measurement and evaluation. The reliability estimate of the instrument was established through the test re-test reliability method.

Result: To test the hypothesis Pearson product moment correlation analysis was adopted. This statistical analysis technique was used because of the nature of the variables involved in the hypothesis directing the study. The hypotheses were tested at .05 level of significance. The result of the analysis revealed that patients’ factors, medical staff factors and hospital environmental factors were significantly related to discharge against medical advice.

Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that; Patients’ factors have a significant relationship with discharge against medical advice. Medical staff factors have a significant relationship with discharge against medical advice. Hospital environmental factors have a significant relationship with discharge against medical advice. A similar study could be carried out again using other statistical analysis techniques to ascertain the validity and reliability of the present findings.

Keywords: Factors Discharge, against medical Advice, Patients