Factors affecting pre hospital treatment delay in acute myocardial infarction patients
Treatment seeking delay (TSD) for AMI symptoms not only limits the benefits of appropriate medical interventions; but individuals who delay seeking medical care are more likely to die on route to the hospital or in the Emergency Department (ED) upon arrival to the hospital. In contrast, receiving appropriate medical intervention in a timely manner reduces the complexity and lengths of hospital stay for post- Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) patients. Objectives:1. To identify the factors of pre hospital treatment delay in patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI). 2. To find out the association between the factors of pre hospital treatment delay with selected demographic variables. Methodology: A descriptive study design was used in the present study. Data were collected from 100 patients aged from 30 to 60 years, who were diagnosed with AMI on the basis of ECG and cardiac enzymes. Demographic data, marital status, educational level, per capita income, type of employment, type of residence, symptomatic factors, situational factors and psychological factors were assessed by using structured closed ended questionnaire. Factors were analyzed by using descriptive and inferential statistics and association between factors and demographic variables were analyzed by using chi square (p = 0.05%). Result: Factors leading to pre hospital treatment delay were situational and symptomatic factors (70.87% and 63.85%) respectively and their reasons were “Discomfort felt early morning”, “Accompanied to hospital by others”, “Availed own vehicle to reach hospital than ambulance”, “With children when experience discomfort” and “Felt chest pain with sweating”, “Chest pain radiates towards left arm”, “chest discomfort sharp and continuous” respectively. there is no significant association between situational, psychological and symptomatic factors when compared to age, type of employment, marital status and type of family except gender which shows there is significant association between situational, psychological and symptomatic factors. Whereas, there is no significant association between educational qualification, per capita income and residence when compare to symptomatic and psychological factor except situational factor which shows significant association. Conclusion: Increasing awareness of patients about AMI symptoms and risk factors could be helpful in patients’ decision in seeking treatment. So general education via media, television or via health camps could be helpful.