Predictors of delay in seeking treatment by Jordanian patients with acute coronary syndrome

Background: ACS management aims for early coronary reperfusion, which should be within one hour from symptoms onset. This time was found to be relatively long, and many patients died before hospital arrival. In Jordan, this phenomenon is not clearly understood with a discrepancy between the reported durations of delay time. Aims: To evaluate Jordanian ACS patients' delay time in seeking medical care, along with predictors of delay. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was utilized to conveniently recruit 160 Jordanian ACS patients. Data were collected using chart review and the Modified ACS Response Questionnaire. Results: The mean delay time was 7.8 hours (SD = 3.5), with none of participants presenting within one hour. Delay time correlated negatively with ACS history, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and perceived risk (r = -0.448, r = -0.400, r = -0.408, r = -0.261, r = -0.411, respectively) and positively with health perception (r = 0.469). A 4-predictor model ( history, beliefs, health perception, STEMI diagnosis) was revealed explaining 40% of variance in delay time (R-2 = .400, F (14,145) = 6.908, P < .001). Conclusion: Improving ACS patients' health seeking behaviors can be achieved when all components of care are considered together. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.