Treatment seeking delay and associated factors in adult heart failure patients admitted to Debre Tabor comprehensive specialized hospital, North West, Ethiopia
Tekalign Amera Birlie,
Abraham Tsedalu Amare,
Setegn Bayabil Agegn,
Gebrie Kassaw Yirga,
Berihun Bantie,
Tadila Dires Nega,
Yeshambaw Eshetie,
Tamiru Alene Woelile,
Getachew Asmare,
Alebachew Taye Belay,
Sheganew Fetene Tasew
Affiliations
Tekalign Amera Birlie
Department of Adult Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre-Tabor University, Ethiopia; Corresponding author. of adult health Nursing @ Debre Tabor University, Debre-Tabor, Ethiopia.
Abraham Tsedalu Amare
Department of Adult Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre-Tabor University, Ethiopia
Setegn Bayabil Agegn
Department of Statistics, Faculty of Natural and Computational Science, Debre Tabor University, Ethiopia
Gebrie Kassaw Yirga
Department of Adult Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre-Tabor University, Ethiopia
Berihun Bantie
Department of Adult Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre-Tabor University, Ethiopia
Tadila Dires Nega
Department of Adult Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre-Tabor University, Ethiopia
Yeshambaw Eshetie
Department of Adult Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre-Tabor University, Ethiopia
Tamiru Alene Woelile
Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, Injibara University, Ethiopia
Getachew Asmare
School of Public Health, College of Health Science and Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Ethiopia
Alebachew Taye Belay
Department of Statistics, Faculty of Natural and Computational Science, Debre Tabor University, Ethiopia
Sheganew Fetene Tasew
Department of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre-Tabor University, Ethiopia
Objectives: This study was aimed at assessing the magnitude of treatment-seeking delay in adult heart failure patients and identifying factors that contribute to it. Design: An institution-based cross-sectional study with a consecutive sampling technique was conducted at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from February 1 to November 1, 2021. Setting: The study was conducted in the medical ward of the hospital. Participants: A total of 187 patients aged 18 and above admitted with a diagnosis of heart failure, and able to provide information were included. Results: The median delay time of adult heart failure patients admitted to the hospital was 15 days. The mean length of delay was also calculated to be 25.02 days. Urban residents and those who live at a ten or less-kilometer distance from healthcare facilities were found to be less likely to delay seeking care. Presenting with shortness of breath or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, perceiving the cause to be heart-related, and getting positive responses from significant others were also associated with a relatively short delay time. Conclusion: Treatment-seeking delay was found to be a major problematic issue in heart failure patients. Therefore, patients, patient families, and the community at large must be taught about the symptoms of heart failure and the need for timely care.
