Abstract
Background: Retinoblastoma is a curable cancer when detected early. Delay in presentation and
management has been seen as a major contributor affecting outcome. By addressing the factors causing
delay an increase in the survival rate of the affected children is likely.
Objective: To determine the reasons for delay in presentation and management of retinoblastoma
patients at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
Methodology: A cross sectional hospital based study carried out at the Kenyatta National Hospital. Data
was collected after obtaining consent from the parents/guardians of retinoblastoma patients, using a
semi-structured questionnaire.
Results: A total of 91 parents/guardians of 64 patients took part in the study. The most common reasons
for delay in presentation were financial constraints (25.0%) and lack of awareness about the disease
(6.3%). There was no association between delayed presentation and parent’s or caregiver’s employment,
education level, having health insurance or living in rural or urban areas (p>0.05). Reasons for delay in
treatment in the hospital included other concurrent illnesses (1.6%), atypical features of the disease
(1.6%), lack of awareness about the condition (1.6%) and caregivers’ fear of enucleation (3.1%).
Conclusions: Financial constraints and lack of awareness about retinoblastoma were the commonest
causes of delay in presentation to a health facility. The caregivers’ fear of enucleation was the most
recurrent reason for delay in treatment at the referral hospital.
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