Determinants of Diagnostic and treatment delay among Thalassemia patients in Sialkot

Abstract

Objectives: To find out determinants of diagnostic and treatment delay among patients with thalassemia major in Sialkot. Methods: A cross –sectional analytical study was conducted in Sundas Foundation, Sialkot, from April 2019 to July 2019. A total of 120 patients were selected by convenient sampling and data was collected through semi-structured, pre-tested questionnaire. Important determinants considered were age, gender, literacy of parents, previous knowledge of disease and first health care facility visited. Data was analysed on SPSS version 25.0 and presented in the form of tables and figures. Chi-Square test was applied to study relationships between diagnostic and treatment delays with sociodemographic profile and other factors. P- value < 0.05 considered significant. Results: There was considerable delay of 30-180 days in diagnosis of thalassemia patients (37.5%), 42.7% patients diagnosed in less than 30 days. Treatment delay of 7-21 days in 18% patients seen, 71% started treatment within a week. 30-180 days delay in seeking medical care, was observed in 20.8% patients. Only 24.2%patients visited government health facility for medical care. First facility visited and delay in seeking medical care were significantly associated with diagnostic delay (p value 0.000 and 0.005 respectively). Only 16.7% had previous knowledge about thalassemia and 21.6% parents knew about legislation regarding mandatory pre-marital screening for thalassemia. Conclusion: Among important determinants, first health care facility visited and delay in seeking medical care had significant relationship with diagnostic delay. Better accessibility to healthcare facilities can overcome them. Key words: Diagnostic Delay, Treatment Delay, Thalassemia, Determinants How to cite: Zahra k,pervaiz A,Tabassum F,Sethi S,Khalid A;Determinants of diagnostic and treatment delay among thalassemia patients in Sialkot, Esculapio.2021;17(1);93-99