Patient satisfaction with palliative care services among adolescents living with HIV at Arua Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda

Background: Patient satisfaction with care among adolescents living with HIV is generally higher in high-income settings but remains limited in sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda, where access to quality palliative care is constrained. Adolescents often face challenges in receiving responsive and supportive care despite national efforts to improve HIV services. This study assessed factors associated with satisfaction with palliative care services among adolescents living with HIV at Arua Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 138 adolescent HIV patients. Data were collected via a researcher-administered structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, with Pearson’s chi-square (χ²) and binary logistic regression applied to identify factors associated with patient satisfaction. Results: Overall satisfaction with palliative care was 85.5%. Multivariate analysis revealed that absence of health workers [AOR = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.052–0.857; p = 0.030], low social support [AOR = 0.25; 95% CI: 0.062–0.984; p = 0.047], and poor facility sanitation [AOR = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.064–0.847; p = 0.027] were significantly associated with lower satisfaction of palliative care among adolescents living with HIV (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Adequate staffing, strong psychosocial support, and hygienic facilities are key determinants of satisfaction with palliative care among adolescents living with HIV. Prioritizing these areas may improve patient experience, adherence to treatment, and overall quality of HIV palliative care services.