Table 5 Symptom onset situational factors and health system factors associated with pre-hospital delay

Location when symptoms occurred (N = 143)

 Home

12 (9.9)

109 (90.1)

1

 Work

0 (0)

10 (100)

1.11 (1.07–1.16)

 < 0.001

 In transit

1 (25)

3 (75)

0.83 (0.58–1.20)

0.329

 Other

0 (0)

8 (100)

1.11 (1.07–1.16)

 < 0.001

Bystander present at symptom onset (N = 143)

 No

3 (12)

22 (88)

1

 Yes

10 (8.5)

108 (91.5)

1.04 (0.86–1.25)

0.678

First decision taken stroke onset (N = 143)

 Go to health facility

8(11.6)

61 (88.4)

1

 Ask family or relative for help

3 (13)

20 (87)

0.98 (0.85–1.14)

0.828

 Ask friend or neighbour to help

0(0)

12 (100)

1.13 (1.04–1.23)

0.003

 Seek spiritual healing

0 (0)

10 (100)

1.13 (1.04–1.23)

0.003

 Called family doctor

1(12.5)

7 (87.5)

0.99 (0.87–1.13)

0.876

 Others

1 (4.8)

20 (95.2)

1.08 (0.92–1.26)

0.349

Had money at home at symptom onset (N = 143)

 No

4 (5)

76 (95)

1

 Yes

9 (14.3)

54 (85.7)

0.9 (0.78 -1.04)

0.149

Means of transport to tertiary hospital (N = 143)

 Owned

8 (22.9)

27 (77.1)

1

1

 Hired/Government ambulance

5 (4.6)

103 (95.4)

1.24 (1.12–1.37)

0.004

1.17 (1.13–1.20)

 < 0.001

Came directly to tertiary Hospital (N = 143)

 No

6(4.8)

119 (95.2)

1

 Yes

7(38.9)

11 (61.1)

0.64 (0.50–0.82)

0.001

Level of health facility first visited (N = 125)

 Private clinic

5 (10)

45 (90)

1

 Private hospital

0 (0)

20 (100)

1.11 (1.07–1.15)

 < 0.001

 HC IV

1 (2.8)

35 (97.2)

1.08 (1.04–1.12)

 < 0.001

 HC III

0 (0)

9 (100)

1.11 (1.07–1.15)

 < 0.001

 Other

0 (0)

10 (100)

1.11 (1.07–1.15)

 < 0.001