Does Perceived Privacy Influence Patient Satisfaction Among College Students? A Comparative Study of Students at a Kenyan University and at a Large American Midwestern University

Authors

  • Robert G. Nyaga Busara Center for Behavioral Economics
  • Grace M. Hildenbrand Department of Leadership Studies, Louisiana State University in Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana
  • Marifran Mattson Brian Lamb School of Communication, Purdue University
  • Bart W. Collins Brian Lamb School of Communication, Purdue University
  • Masibo Lumala Moi University, Kenya

Keywords:

patients, privacy, patient satisfaction, communication, university students

Abstract

Guided by the communication privacy management theory (CPM), the overarching goal of this study was to examine the extent to which perceived privacy influences patient satisfaction among students at a Kenyan university and at a large Midwestern university. Data were collected using surveys with 349 Kenyan students and 420 U.S. students, recruited using convenience sampling. Privacy was measured using a multidimensional Likert privacy scale, while patient satisfaction was measured using a patient satisfaction scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multiple linear regression, two-way MANOVA, and moderation analysis. The results revealed that all three types of privacy (psychological, physical, and informational) had a strong positive correlation with patient satisfaction. Perceived privacy predicted perceived patient satisfaction, and men and women did not have different concerns for privacy. Participant country moderated the relationship between privacy and patient satisfaction. These results suggest that physicians and hospitals should emphasize effective patient privacy in spaces where medical interactions occur.  

Author Biographies

Robert G. Nyaga, Busara Center for Behavioral Economics

Dr. Nyaga is a Qualitative Research Specialist at the Busara Center for Behavioral Economics, Nairobi, Kenya. His research interests lie in health messaging and understanding how college students make health decisions.

Grace M. Hildenbrand, Department of Leadership Studies, Louisiana State University in Shreveport, Shreveport, Louisiana

Grace is a recent PhD graduate in Health Communication from the Brian Lamb School of Communication, Purdue University and currently an Assistant Professor at Louisiana State University Phone no: 3095327253

Marifran Mattson, Brian Lamb School of Communication, Purdue University

Dr Mattson is a professor of health communication and the Head of the Brian Lamb School of Communication, Purdue University. Phone no: 765 494-3300

Bart W. Collins, Brian Lamb School of Communication, Purdue University

Dr Collins is a Professor of Practice in Communication and the Graduate Coordinator at the Brian Lamb School of Communication, Purdue University.Phone no: 765 494-0241

Masibo Lumala, Moi University, Kenya

Dr Lumala is a Senior Lecturer in Communication at Moi University. He is currently a visiting Professor at the Brian Lamb School of Communication, Purdue University.Phone no: 765 494-3310 

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Published

2021-08-27

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Articles