Magnitude of Delay in Presentation and Management of Retinoblastoma Patients at the Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya

Abstract

Background: Retinoblastoma is the commonest intraocular childhood malignancy in the world and is curable when detected early. Delay in presentation and management is seen as a major contributor affecting outcome.
Objective: To determine the magnitude of delay in the presentation and management of retinoblastoma patients at the Kenyatta National Hospital.
Methodology: A cross sectional hospital based study done from November 2012 to April 2014 at the Kenyatta National Hospital. Data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire from the parents/guardians of retinoblastoma patients who gave consent.
Results: Ninety-one parents/guardians of 64 patients participated. Sixty point nine percent took more than 5 months from onset of symptoms to presentation at the referral centre while 46.1% took more than 1 month from onset of symptoms to first visit to a health facility. Ten point nine percent of patients took more than 2 weeks before starting definitive management at the referral centre.
Conclusions: Majority of the patients presented late to the referral centre while most of the health care providers referred the patients early. Augmentation of public awareness on retinoblastoma would make the primary caregivers more aware of early symptoms of the disease.