Waiting times for elective surgery in an African paediatric surgery department

Abstract

BackgroundLong waiting time (WT) for elective surgery is a frequent and important issue in many countries. This study examined the factors affecting the WT for elective surgery in a paediatric surgery department in a tertiary healthcare hospital in Niger, Africa. This descriptive retrospective study examined patients aged 0–15 years who underwent elective surgery in the paediatric surgery department of National Hospital Amirou Boubacar Diallo in Niamey, Niger, between April 1, 2019 and March 30, 2020. Socio-demographic, diagnostic, and therapeutic data were collected from medical records, and the WT, defined as the number of days between when surgery was proposed and performed was analysed. Statistical analyses were performed with the Kruskal–Wallis test, and a p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThree hundred fifty-four patients were included in the study. The umbilical hernia was the most common surgical indication (n = 103, 29.1%). The mean WT was 69.2 days (range, 8 days–11.3 months), and the majority of patients had a WT of less than two months (n = 240, 67.8%). Depending on the surgical indication, the mean WT ranged from 13 days (posterior urethral valve) to 8.5 months (epispadias). WT was significantly longer among patients living in rural areas (p = 0.012), with comorbidities (p = 0.0034), and whose procedures were postponed (p = 0.0026).ConclusionPatient and institution-related factors influenced the WT. It can be reduced by addressing the supply and demand aspects of surgical care, as well as by prioritising patients who need more urgent care.