Evaluation of the Factors that Cause Delay in the Application to Health Services in Hemorrhoidal Disease

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Objective: To reveal the demographic, etiologic, psychosocial factors in the hemorrhoidal disease and the effects of delay in application. Material and Methods: We interviewed 100 patients ranging in age from 18 to 76 diagnosed with hemorrhoidal disease in the General Surgery Outpatient Clinics at the Ministry of Health Ankara Training and Research Hospital. Results: Overall, 48% of the patients were men, 52% were women. Additionally, 38% of the patients were admitted to the clinic within 7 days of experiencing the first symptoms, while 62%were admitted with a delay for several reasons. The application was delayed for 4% of the patients who did not have health insurance. The grades of hemorrhoidal disease were decreasing as the education levels were increasing (p=0,033). A statistically significant relationship was found between delay in application and education levels (p=0, 05). The period between the first complaints and the application were longer for patients suffering from bleeding, pain, and itching compared to those without these symptoms. We found no significant difference in delayed application between the patients who were and were not ashamed to see a doctor of the opposite sex. Conclusion: An anorectal disease history in the family, the occupations, pregnancy, and obesity were found effective in the etiology of the hemorrhoidal disease. The grades of hemorrhoidal disease and the ratio of delay in application was low among the more educated patients. The lack of health insurance caused delays in application. The application of patients who complained of pain, bleeding, and itching was delayed.

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Hemorrhoidal disease , demographic factors , etiological factors , psychosocial factors , delay for application

Kocatepe Medical Journal

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Kocatepe Medical Journal