Qualitative Assessment of a Ward in a Federal Mental Health Institution in Sub-Saharan Africa

Purpose: This report is aimed at addressing the qualities of services rendered by ward one of the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Calabar, Cross River state, with the sole purpose of scientifically identifying challenges and proffering necessary solution based on the findings of this research. Methods: This report was produced by members of the quality improvement unit of the hospital as a statutory function and mandate to asses all units in the hospital with the sole aim of improving service delivery. It is a qualitative analysis research methodology. A rating scale for this research was developed by the quality improvement unit of the hospital after an extensive consultation, collaborations and meetings by this team. Two nurses, two health assistants, a pharmacist, two medical doctors, a psychologist, two social workers, an occupational therapist, two crisis intervention staff, making a total of thirteen staff were interviewed. Twelve service users and six service users’ relations making a total of thirty one subjects that were planned for the interview. Saturation was achieved with the seventh service user. So eight service users were actually interviewed. And the actual subjects interviewed were twenty seven subjects. Results: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THEME RATING ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Theme 1. Well Organized setting with adequate Instruments and staff performance Achieved partially (A/P) Theme 2. Satisfactory services and patients satisfaction Achieved partially (A/P) Theme 3. Effective ward interventions. Achieved partially (A/P) Theme 4. Available Facilities Achieved partially (A/P) Theme 5. Promotion of Patients Right Achievement Initiated (A/I) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Discussion: The organisation of ward one settings are flawed, with non-availability of working tools and not so good staff performance on their duties. Service users’ satisfaction of the hospitals services are not so good and the satisfaction with the services are low as well. In the event of a major challenges on the ward the availability intervention are very low and also in the face of no or very few facilities. Service users’ rights are not full filled as well. Conclusions: and Recommendations Ward one is poorly organised and the services offered are not satisfactory. Interventions to emerging issues are poor with the ward conditions not favouring optimal service provision so also is poor interventions to emergencies and there is also human rights violation. Training and retraining of staff is recommended, so is regular and broad based supervision of staff by their superior, ward one should be urgently equipped with relevant medical equipment and adequate recreational facilities should be provided to the service users as well.