Assessment of Paediatric Outpatient Waiting Times and Patient Satisfaction at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano State, North West Nigeria

Patient waiting time in outpatient clinics is a key determinant of caregiver satisfaction, clinic attendance, and health outcome for children. Long waiting periods discourage follow-up visits and contribute to poor treatment adherence. This cross-sectional descriptive study assesses paediatric outpatient waiting times and caregiver satisfaction at the paediatric outpatient department of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano State, North West Nigeria. A total of 260 caregivers attending the paediatric OPD over a three-week period were systematically recruited. Data were collected on arrival time, registration time, doctor consultation time, and discharge time using observation forms and structured interviews. Caregiver satisfaction was assessed using a validated five-point Likert-scale questionnaire. Mean total waiting time from registration to consultation was 128.4 minutes. Caregivers who waited longer than 90 minutes reported significantly lower satisfaction scores (p less than 0.01). Only 38.5% of caregivers reported overall satisfaction with the service experience. Poor communication from reception staff, crowded waiting areas, and absence of playgrounds for waiting children were among the most cited dissatisfiers. Appointment scheduling compliance was poor, with 67.3% of attendees presenting as walk-in cases. The study recommends implementation of appointment scheduling systems, additional staffing during peak hours, caregiver communication improvements, and child-friendly waiting area designs. Keywords: waiting time, patient satisfaction, paediatric outpatient, AKTH, Kano State.