Factors Influencing Underutilization Of Ultrasound Scan At Gulu Regional Referral Hospital (GRRH).

Abstract

An ultrasound scan is a diagnostic imaging technique based on the application of ultrasound waves. It is used to create an image of internal body structures and organs and its aim is often to find a source of a disease or to exclude pathology. Globally there is increased access and utilization of ultrasound services both in developed and some low- and middle-income countries. This cross sectional quantitative survey study aimed at determining the factors influencing underutilization of ultrasound scan services at GRRH. Data was collected using a self-developed structured self-administered questionnaires covering all the variables in the study. The study involved 20 health care workers and 80 patients, out of that 25% of the patients were referred and 50% of the health workers referred patients to do ultrasound outside GRRH. Out of the total respondents, 80% reported that the department has no alternative source of power in case of power outage. Clients who sought services in the department, 48% reported to have waited for at least 4 hours to get the services. Out of the 10 health care workers who referred clients for ultrasound services outside of GRRH 50% reported that the ultrasound reports from the department were not describing the findings well and 30% of them referred patients because the investigations which they wanted the patients to do were not done in GRRH. In conclusion the study indicates that 25% of patients were referred and 50% of health workers referred patients to seek for services outside GRRH due to long waiting time, no alternative source of power, service unavailability beyond the normal working hours, and unavailability of some examinations in the radiology department were some of the factors responsible for underutilization of ultrasound services at GRRH. The administration of GRRH should provide reliable alternative source of power in the radiology department. There should be a staff allocated on duty to handle emergencies and those patients that come beyond the normal working hours. Further study can be done to find out the level of patients satisfaction with services offered at radiology department of GRRH.