Introduction and Objective: The increasing prevalence of Diabetes in India has led to a surge in Diabetic complications, including foot ulcers. This study investigates factors contributing to delayed seeking of medical help. This study also determines the prevalence of delayed presentation among patients with diabetic foot ulcers, highlighting patient-related and healthcare system-related factors essential for effective interventions.Methods: Conducted at SSG Hospital and Medical College Baroda, the study spanned one year involving 90 patients with Diabetes. Inclusion criteria involved adults with known cases of Diabetes Mellitus and an HbA1c>6.5 who developed foot ulcers. Delayed presentation was defined as seeking medical attention after 21 days of noticing the foot lesion. Appropriate statistical tools and techniques like the chi-square test for determining association of categorical data were used for the analysis.Results: 57.7% of patients presented with a delay at the tertiary care center. Patient-related factors included economic status, low literacy, and lack of awareness. Healthcare system factors were further classified as Accessibility related factors and Delivery related factors. Notably, individuals below the poverty line tend to present later. Additionally, limited access to tertiary care centers and delayed referrals contribute significantly to delayed presentation, especially for the rural population.Conclusion: This study highlighted that the Delayed health seeking behavior is usually patient-oriented, whereas delayed presentation at tertiary care center is usually health system-oriented. The study underscores the broader implications of delayed presentation for various chronic diseases.
D.N. Shah: None. H. Chorya: None. S. Narang: None. D. Raval: None.
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