Quality of care in sexually transmitted diseases in Zambia: patients' perspective.

The aims of this study were to describe Zambian STD patients response to treatment, compliance with partner notification, and further to measure patients' satisfaction with the health care received. The majority of 179 STD patients (92 men, 87 women) interviewed twice at an urban health centre were not satisfied with the care received. Their response to treatment and compliance with partner notification were not satisfactory. Thirteen patients had not been able to buy medicines, since they had no money. One hundred and twenty-five patients had asked 134 sexual partners to come for treatment but only 60 percent of them had received treatment. To get free medicines, to have privacy, to get injections instead of tablets, to be examined before treatment, and to be informed about the diagnosis were judged most important for good quality STD care. Health workers must improve their communication and counselling skills to understand the needs of their patients, who are the ultimate evaluators of the quality of care.