Prevalence and factors associated with delay in seeking healthcare among sexually transmitted infections patients at the skin and STD clinic at Mulago Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) remain a significant public health concern, particularly in low-resource settings where timely healthcare-seeking behavior is often suboptimal. This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with delayed health care seeking for STI treatment among individuals attending health facilities. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed, and data was collected using structured questionnaires. Conducted at the STD clinic in Mulago Hospital. The study population consisted of sexually active patients aged 18 years and above visiting the skin and STD clinic. Critically ill patients, patients with health conditions that require emergency treatment, and mentally unstable patients were however excluded. Sample size was 365, selected by systematic sampling procedure. The outcome variable was delay in seeking care for STI treatment, considered as seeking of care 7 days after on set of symptoms. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the factors associated with delay in seeking care with P<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of delayed health care seeking for STI treatment was 66.3% as 142 (66.3%) with a 14 days (IQR 7-21 days) median duration of seeking healthcare. The major reasons for delayed seeking of care was because majority thought the disease was not serious (52.1%) and being too busy or lacking time (37.2%). On multivariate analysis, delayed health care seeking for STI treatment was found to be significantly associated with being single [cOR=9.182 (95% CI 2.078-40.575), P=0.003], having no formal/having a maximum of primary education [cOR=9.033 (95% CI 3.195-25.533), P=<0.001], being salary employed [cOR=4.937 (95% CI 1.006-24.226), P=0.049] or self employed [cOR=6.316 (95% CI 1.307-30.535), P=0.022] and having poor [cOR=22.062 (95% CI 6.572-74.06), P=<0.001] or moderate knowledge [cOR=8.258 (95% CI 3.495-19.509), P=<0.001] of STI treatment. Conclusion: Delayed healthcare-seeking for STI treatment is prevalent and is strongly influenced by education level, marital status, and knowledge of STIs. There is strong need for targeted health education, community awareness programs, and improved access to STI services to promote early diagnosis and treatment.