Exploring the Causes and Factors Contributing to Pre-hospital Delays in Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients: A Hospital-based Cross-sectional Study from a Resource-limited Setting

Introduction: Early treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) is crucial for reducing mortality. However, not all patients arrive early enough to receive optimal therapy, especially in developing countries. Several factors contribute to increased pre-hospital delays. Aim: To explore the frequency and causes of delayed presentations among patients with AMI in Sudan. Materials and Methods: This hospital-based cross-sectional study included 224 patients admitted to Al-Shaab Teaching Hospital and the Sudan Heart Centre, Khartoum State, Sudan between September 2022 and November 2022. A validated questionnaire was used to collect data, and patients were categorised into two groups: those who arrived after 12 hours (delayed) and those who arrived within 12 hours (non delayed). Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test to assess associations between pre-hospital delay and patient characteristics, with a p-value of