Determinants of delay in treatment seeking among malaria patients in public health facilities of Dambi Dollo and Sayyo district, Western Ethiopia: A facility based case control study

Abstract

Abstract Background: To prevent malaria from progressing to the more severe types and from increasing mortality, early and prompt treatment seeking is essential. However other investigations have shown that malaria medications were not received in the necessary amount of time. Determinants of treatment seeking delay among malaria patients must therefore be understood in order to create interventions and strategies. Objective: The main objective of this study is to identify the determinants treatment seeking delay among malaria patients in public health facilities of Dambi Dollo and Sayyo district, Kellem Wallaga zone, Western Ethiopia, 2022. Methods: From March 25, 2022, through May 15, 2022, a facility-based case-control research involving a sample of 322 confirmed malaria patients, 161 cases, and 161 controls was done. The study was carried out in six randomly chosen public health facilities, with a proportionate distribution of the total sample among them. Face-to-face interviews with structured and tested questionnaires were used to gather the data. EpiData version 4.4.2.1 was used to import the data, which was then exported to SPSS version 25.0 for cleaning and analysis. The causes of treatment seeking delay were determined using multivariable logistic regression analysis after bivariable analysis had been used to identify candidate factors. A p-value of 0.05 with a 95% confidence interval has been judged statistically significant. The Institutional Review Board of Dambi Dollo University's college of medicine and health sciences granted ethical approval. Result: Patients of age <15 years of age[AOR=3.7(1.34-10.32)], Farmers in occupation [AOR=3.59(1.17-11.01)], Expensive health care costs[AOR=5.45(1.22-24.23)], Having practice of self-medication[AOR=2.01(1.10-3.67)], Previous malaria infection[AOR=1.82(1.04-3.17)], Decision made by household head[AOR=0.51(0.28-0.91)]and Waiting time at the health facility[AOR=1.91(1.19-3.24)] were found to be important determinants of treatment seeking delay among malaria patients. Conclusion and recommendations: It was discovered that factors such as age, occupation, health care costs, prior malaria infection, waiting period, use of self-medication, and decision-making were factors in treatment seeking delay. The two separate health offices and facilities should collaborate to provide regular health education, appropriate healthcare, and private drug shop inspections.