Effect of Sociodemographic Variables on Patient and Diagnostic Delay of Breast Cancer at the Foremost Health Care Institution in Nigeria

Abstract

PURPOSE Breast cancer (BC) has the highest mortality rate among women with any form of cancer in developing countries. Unfortunately, patients with BC in Nigeria commonly present with late-stage disease. The current study examined the types and magnitude of delay in BC diagnosis at the foremost hospital in Nigeria and also identified the influencing factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS This cross-sectional study involved questionnaires given to 275 patients with BC at University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, from August to October 2018. Sociodemographic characteristics and information relevant to management of their health problem were obtained after ethical committee approval. Data collected were analyzed by SPSS (version 23; SPSS, Chicago, IL) to assess the types and magnitude of delay experienced by patients, as well as identify related determinants using the appropriate statistical test with P = .05. RESULTS The mean age of respondents was 49 (± 11.9) years with the majority being Yoruba (n = 154; 56%), Christians (n = 211; 76.7%), married (n = 193; 70.2%), employed (n = 151; 54.9%), having tertiary education (n = 142; 51.6%) and an average income of more than 18,000 naira (n = 176; 64%). Patient delay and diagnostic delay were observed among 97 respondents (35.3%) and 84 respondents (30.5%), respectively. Although patient delay was significantly associated with age, ethnicity, and marital status, the only variable significantly associated with diagnostic delay was marital status ( P < .05). Level of income, education, employment status, and religion did not significantly ( P > .05) contribute to either of these delays. CONCLUSION BC management at the pioneer Nigerian teaching hospital is challenged by both delays in patient presentation at clinics and delays in the process of being diagnosed. Such delays need to be addressed to achieve favorable outcome of patients with BC in Nigeria.

Factors associated with advanced stage diagnosis of breast cancer in North West Ethiopia. a cross-sectional study

“…The average healthcare system and patient delay were 39 and 233 days, respectively. This study's findings are lower than studies conducted in Mexico (median total delay of 270 days) [32] and Rwanda [19], but higher than studies conducted in Morocco (median total diagnostic delay of 120 days, patient delay (65 days), healthcare system delay (median = 50 days)) [33] and Nigeria in which presentation delay and diagnostic delay were 35.3% and 30.5%, respectively [34]. The variations might be due to a difference in sample population characteristics or other sociocultural and infrastructure differences.…”

Patient's Perspective on the Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Treatment in Nigeria

“…[34][35][36] In addition, factors such as marital status are considered crucial, since they have been reported to contribute significantly to patient delay and, by extension, may result in poor clinical outcomes. 37,38 In the current study, however, there was no statistically significant association between the marital status of participants and reports of any disruptions in care; although when canceled radiotherapy was taken singly, marital status was found to be associated.…”

Impact of Healthcare Access Disparities on Initial Diagnosis of Breast Cancer in the Emergency Department

“…Current data suggest that more single women received an initial diagnosis with breast cancer in the ED than married women. This finding agrees with the literature that single women had a delay to diagnosis and worse prognosis more often than married women [8,[18][19][20]. This observation can be attributed to the fact that single women are more likely to lack social and financial support regarding medical issues.…”