Satisfaction with health care among primary health care centers attendees' in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia

Objectives: To assess the satisfaction of attendees of primary health care centersregarding health services. Design: A cross-sectional study carried on a sample of 1990 subjects. Setting: The primary health care centers in Al-Khobar town, Saudi Arabia, during September, 1995. Subjects: A random sample of 1990 subjects drawn from the population of attendees of primary health care centers aged 15 years and above. Methods: Subjects were interviewed using a questionnaire incorporating 40 items using a 5-point-based Likert Scale describing, 7 aspects of health services received. Mean satisfaction scores were calculated and factors associated with them studied. Results: The study revealed a high score of overall satisfaction, but lesser and variable satisfaction scores for specific aspects of services. Being of a Saudi nationality was negatively associated with the mean overall satisfaction score. Conclusion: In general, there was reasonable satisfaction with aspects of health services offered. Some factors were negatively associated with the mean satisfaction scores.