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

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.