Analysis of Factor Influencing Delayed Referral of Undescended Testis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The rate of delay in the referral of patients with undescended testis (UDT) to health facilities in Indonesia is still relatively high due to delays in the handling of urological surgery. Hence, it requires rapid and appropriate identification and early detection of patients with UDT in the community. AIM: The study aims to analyze the factors of delay in referral in cases of UDT management. METHODS: This study used a cohort design with a retrospective review approach to analyze various factors that cause delays in referring patients with UDT. Collecting identification was done by tracing UDT case-patient documents from January 2016 to November 2021. Data analysis used the Mann–Whitney and Chi-square comparison test, with significance achieved if the p < 0.05. RESULTS: Delay by doctors/paramedics who were not followed up, ignorance of the risk of delaying surgery, and undiagnosed UDT by parents/health-care providers showed a significant difference where the percentage of patients who were delayed was greater on these factors. In addition, the reference source is also known to have a significant difference with a significant value (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Factors that played a significant role in the delay in operative procedures for treating UDT were delays in referral from doctors (p < 0.025) (primary care physicians and pediatricians) and undiagnosed UDT conditions in patients (< 0.005).