Patient Delays in Oral and Maxillofacial Care: The Case of Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana

Aim: Delays in seeking oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) care represent a significant public health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. Understanding the sociodemographic and clinical drivers of these delays is essential for developing effective interventions to improve patient outcomes. This study aimed to quantify the duration and reasons for patient delays in seeking care at a major tertiary hospital in Ghana. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 97 consecutive patients presenting to the OMFS unit at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana. Using interviewer-administered questionnaires, we collected data on socio-demographics, clinical presentation, and self-reported reasons for delay. Patient delays were measured in weeks and categorized into appraisal, illness, and utilization delays based on the Safer et al. model. Non-parametric tests were used to analyze associations. Results: The most common presenting complaints were pain (32%) and swelling (25%). Total patient delay was associated with several factors. The longest delays were observed in patients aged 60 and above (median: 88.0 weeks), those with no formal education (median: 78.1 weeks), and the unemployed (median: 42.1 weeks). Clinically, conditions involving the jawbone had markedly longer delays (median: 12.6 weeks) compared to extra-oral conditions (median: 0.6 weeks, P = 0.007). The primary self-reported reasons for postponing care were the perception that the condition was not serious (36%) and financial constraints (22%). Conclusion: Significant disparities in accessing timely OMFS care exist, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations, including the elderly, the less educated, and the unemployed. These delays are primarily driven by a low perception of disease severity and financial barriers. There is an urgent need for targeted public health strategies that improve oral health literacy and reduce financial obstacles to encourage earlier care-seeking behaviors.