Parameters for improving health-care in Nigeria: The case of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

Constant poor health care quality is attributable to non-responsive foreign models necessitated this study to 
develop quality assurance package (QAP) for health care in Nigeria with focus on Akwa Ibom State. Quality 
assurance index (QAI) was the instrument for data collection. A multi-stage random sample of 340 respondents 
was drawn from 840 health managers in primary health care settings in the state. The research and development 
(R&D) survey designed was used to develop the package through progressive steps such as: (a) Exploration and 
establishment of need for the package through library search; (b) determination of the elements (contents) for 
quality assurance; (c) preliminary validation of the elements; (d) empirical validation of the contents to determine 
the suitability; and (e) integral feedback mechanism. From the findings of the study, suitable elements for quality 
assurance identified were: the philosophy {(care should be at minimal risk to client (84.9%), care of benefit to 
client (79.5%), health worker should aim at best result as they demonstrate moral sense of duty (73.6%); workers 
should strive for best results (62.4%)}; objectives (giving consumers adequate information in tandem with local 
needs and exigencies (80.4%), continuous care innovations (67.6%), and safeguarding consumers’ satisfaction 
(76.6%); and measures for quality assurance (continuous education for health workers (87.2%), licensing all health 
care givers (83.5%), close supervision (79.8%), minimizing unjustified geo-variation of care (85.3%), reducing 
access barrier (79.4%), among others). The package was recommended for adoption for health care administration 
in the country.