scholarly journals Determinants of customer decisions to pay utility water bills promptly

Water Policy ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 220-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josses Mugabi ◽  
Sam Kayaga ◽  
Ian Smout ◽  
Cyrus Njiru
Keyword(s):  
Service Provision ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Social Pressure ◽  
Cost Recovery ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Water Utility ◽  
To Come ◽  
Customer Attitude ◽  
Utility Managers

Cost recovery is a prerequisite for sustainable water service provision. For water utilities, one of the key determinants of overall cost recovery efficiency is the ability to recover payment, within a reasonable timeframe, for all the water bills sent to customers. This study used empirical data, obtained through a cross-sectional survey in eight small urban centres in Uganda, to establish the determinants of customer decisions to pay utility water bills promptly. Regression analysis on the data showed that customer attitude towards prompt payment, perceived ease or difficulty of paying on time (perceived control), as well as social pressure, strongly influence intentions to pay, which in turn directly affects actual prompt bill payment behaviour. The results also show that attitudes towards prompt payment are informed by perceptions of benefits and sacrifices associated with the behaviour, while social pressure is perceived to come from family members, neighbours and the utility itself. Perceived control was found to reflect both internal and external impediments to prompt bill payment, many of which relate to service issues that are within the control of water utility managers.

scholarly journals Challenges Faced by Devolved Governance in Quality Service Delivery: A Case Study of Turkana Central Sub-county, Turkana County, Kenya

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 87
Author(s):  
James K. Sirite ◽  
Henry Ongori ◽  
Darius Bosire
Keyword(s):  
Service Delivery ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Quality Service ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
County Governments ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
To Come

The purpose of this study was to identify the challenges faced in quality service delivery to Turkana Central Sub-county citizens of Turkana County. The study used cross-sectional survey design. The sample size selected for the study was 261.  Data was collected using questionnaires and interview guides. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and presented in tables and figures for ease interpretation. The major findings of the study show that devolved governance faces some challenges. For instance the devolved governance is faced with corruption, lack of transparency and accountability and inadequate funds. This adversely   affects quality service delivery to its citizens. The findings of the study would inspire policy makers at the county and national government level to come up with appropriate strategies to mitigate the challenges identified in order to improve the quality of services offered by the county governments.

scholarly journals Examining patient distress and unmet need for support across UK renal units with varying models of psychosocial care delivery: a cross-sectional survey study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. e036931
Author(s):  
Maaike Seekles ◽  
Paula Ormandy ◽  
Daiga Kamerāde
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Unmet Need ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Psychosocial Service ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Need For Support

ObjectiveTo examine in-centre haemodialysis patients’ emotional distress and need for support across UK renal units with varying models of psychosocial service provision.DesignThe study used a cross-sectional survey design. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine patient distress, as captured by the Distress Thermometer, and need for support, across different renal units.SettingSeven renal units across England, Wales and Scotland. The units were purposively selected so that varying workforce models of renal psychosocial services were represented.ParticipantsIn total, 752 patients were on dialysis in the participating centres on the days of data collection. All adult patients, who could understand English, and with capacity (as determined by the nurse in charge), were eligible to participate in the study. The questionnaire was completed by 509 patients, resulting in an overall response rate of 67.7%.Outcome measuresThe prevalence of distress and patient-reported need for support.ResultsThe results showed that 48.9% (95% CI 44.5 to 53.4) of respondents experienced distress. A significant association between distress and models of renal psychosocial service provision was found (χ2(6)=15.05, p=0.019). Multivariable logistic regression showed that patients in units with higher total psychosocial staffing ratios (OR 0.65 (95% CI 0.47 to 0.89); p=0.008) and specifically higher social work ratios (OR 0.49 (95% CI 0.33 to 0.74); p=0.001) were less likely to experience distress, even after controlling for demographic variables. In addition, a higher patient-reported unmet need for support was found in units where psychosocial staffing numbers are low or non-existent (χ2(6)=37.80, p<0.001).ConclusionsThe novel findings emphasise a need for increased incorporation of dedicated renal psychosocial staff into the renal care pathway. Importantly, these members of staff should be able to offer support for psychological as well as practical and social care-related issues.

scholarly journals Cross-sectional survey of orthotic service provision in the UK: does where you live affect the service you receive?

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e028186
Author(s):  
Nachiappan Chockalingam ◽  
Nicola Eddison ◽  
Aoife Healy
Keyword(s):  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Waiting Times ◽  
Lead Times ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Uk

ObjectiveTo investigate the quantity and quality of orthotic service provision within the UK.DesignCross-sectional survey obtained through freedom of information request in 2017.SettingNational Health Service (NHS) Trusts/Health Boards (HBs) across the UK.Main outcome measuresDescriptive statistics of survey results, including information related to finance, volume of appointments, patients and orthotic products, waiting times, staffing, complaints, outcome measures and key performance indicators.ResultsResponses were received from 61% (119/196) of contacted Trusts/HBs; 86% response rate from Scotland (12/14) and Wales (6/7), 60% (3/5) from Northern Ireland and 58% (98/170) from England. An inhouse service was provided by 32% (35/110) of responses and 68% (74/110) were funded by a block contract. Long waiting times for appointments and lead times for footwear/orthoses, and large variations in patient entitlements for orthotic products across Trusts/HBs were evident. Variations in the length of appointment times were also evident between regions of the UK and between contracted and inhouse services, with all appointment times relatively short. There was evidence of improvements in service provision; ability for direct general practitioner referral and orthotic services included within multidisciplinary clinics. However, this was not found in all Trusts/HBs.ConclusionsThe aim to provide a complete UK picture of orthotic service provision was hindered by the low response rate and limited information provided in some responses, with greater ability of Trusts/HBs to answer questions related to quantity of service than those that reflect quality. However, results highlight the large discrepancies in service provision between Trusts/HBs, the gaps in data capture and the need for the UK NHS to establish appropriate processes to record the quantity and quality of orthotic service provision. In addition to standardising appointment times across the NHS, guidelines on product entitlements for patients and their lead times should be prescribed to promote equity.

Pattern of Alternative Medicine Usage Among the Chinese Breast Cancer Patients: Implication for Service Integration

2003 ◽  
Vol 31 (04) ◽  
pp. 649-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abu S.M. Abdullah ◽  
Yvonne Lau ◽  
Louis W.C. Chow
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Conventional Medicine ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cancer Centers ◽  
Factors Associated

The study examined the pattern of and factors associated with use of alternative medicine (AM) among Chinese breast cancer patients. An analytical, cross-sectional survey of 352 breast cancer patients from two breast cancer centers was conducted in 1997. Amongst the respondents, the usage rate of alternative medicine was 27.8%. Factors forming the use of AM included being young to middle-aged, having higher education and a belief that AM would enhance orthodox treatment. A substantial proportion of Chinese breast cancer patients use AM besides conventional medicine. There is a need to integrate AM with conventional medicine to improve the service provision for cancer patients.

Socioeconomic factors, perceived control and self-reported health in Russia. A cross-sectional survey

1998 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 269-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Bobak ◽  
Hynek Pikhart ◽  
Clyde Hertzman ◽  
Richard Rose ◽  
Michael Marmot
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Factors ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Reported Health

Older employees' postretirement work planning: an application of the theory of planned behavior

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 565-579
Author(s):  
Yisheng Peng ◽  
Hanyi Min
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Planned Behavior ◽  
Planned Behavior ◽  
Older Workers ◽  
Perceived Control ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Subjective Norm ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Older Employees

PurposeBased on the theory of planned behavior, this study aims to examine antecedents of older workers' intentions to engage in postretirement work (PRW) and actual planning for PRW.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional survey design was used. About 469 nurses (≥45 years old) from Midwestern United States completed an online survey containing various self-reports on attitude, perceived control, subjective norm, intentions to engage in PRW and actual planning for PRW.FindingsResults found that attitude and subjective norm (but not perceived control) were positively related to older employees' intentions to engage in PRW. Perceived control was positively related to actual planning for PRW. PRW intentions mediated the effects of attitude and subjective norm on older workers' actual planning for PRW. Finally, perceived control enhanced the positive effect of PRW intentions on actual planning for PRW.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the research by testing the application of the theory of planned behavior to the literature on PRW, further increasing our knowledge of the roles of individuals' attitudinal and cognitive factors in predicting older employees' PRW intentions and actual planning for PRW.

scholarly journals Availability of equipment and medications for non-communicable diseases and injuries at public first-referral level hospitals: a cross-sectional analysis of service provision assessments in eight low-income countries

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e038842
Author(s):  
Neil Gupta ◽  
Matthew M Coates ◽  
Abebe Bekele ◽  
Roodney Dupuy ◽  
Darius Leopold Fénelon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Health Coverage ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity

Context and objectivesNon-communicable diseases and injuries (NCDIs) comprise a large share of mortality and morbidity in low-income countries (LICs), many of which occur earlier in life and with greater severity than in higher income settings. Our objective was to assess availability of essential equipment and medications required for a broad range of acute and chronic NCDI conditions.DesignSecondary analysis of existing cross-sectional survey data.SettingWe used data from Service Provision Assessment surveys in Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Malawi, Nepal, Senegal and Tanzania, focusing on public first-referral level hospitals in each country.Outcome measuresWe defined sets of equipment and medications required for diagnosis and management of four acute and nine chronic NCDI conditions and determined availability of these items at the health facilities.ResultsOverall, 797 hospitals were included. Medication and equipment availability was highest for acute epilepsy (country estimates ranging from 40% to 95%) and stage 1–2 hypertension (28%–83%). Availability was low for type 1 diabetes (1%–70%), type 2 diabetes (3%–57%), asthma (0%–7%) and acute presentations of diabetes (0%–26%) and asthma (0%–4%). Few hospitals had equipment or medications for heart failure (0%–32%), rheumatic heart disease (0%–23%), hypertensive emergencies (0%–64%) or acute minor surgical conditions (0%–5%). Data for chronic pain were limited to only two countries. Availability of essential medications and equipment was lower than previous facility-reported service availability.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate low availability of essential equipment and medications for diverse NCDIs at first-referral level hospitals in eight LICs. There is a need for decentralisation and integration of NCDI services in existing care platforms and improved assessment and monitoring to fully achieve universal health coverage.

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