https://doi.org/10.4081/acbr.2023.317
Factors influencing patients’ time of presentation to a dental clinic and pattern of sociodemographic influence in a tertiary health facility
Submitted: 18 March 2023
Accepted: 6 June 2023
Published: 11 August 2023
Accepted: 6 June 2023
Abstract Views: 241
PDF: 135
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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Authors
Healthcare professionals should always encourage their patients to present early to the health facility for prompt treatment. Despite public health education on this matter, many patients still present late to the hospital. The study aimed to determine the factors influencing the time of presentation to a dental clinic and the sociodemographic effects of such factors. A total of 257 questionnaires were administered, of which 243 were correctly filled and returned, representing a response rate of 94.5%. The majority, 59.3%, presented because of pain, while 91.4% felt they presented late. Most of the respondents, 94(42.3%), cited trying other treatments as the reason for coming late. There were strong associations between reasons for coming late and some sociodemographic characteristics of respondents. Most patients seeking dental care present late and only do so when the pain is becoming unbearable, having tried other alternatives. Some sociodemographic characteristics of individuals showed a strong association with some reasons for presenting late.
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How to Cite
Omokhua, H., & Evbuomwan, R. (2023). Factors influencing patients’ time of presentation to a dental clinic and pattern of sociodemographic influence in a tertiary health facility. Annals of Clinical and Biomedical Research, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/acbr.2023.317
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