Key result
Advanced age linked to ~268% higher risk of elective surgical cancellation, alongside low income.
Why the study?
While descriptive studies in Ethiopia report high elective surgical case cancellation rates, analytical studies identifying associated factors are lacking.
Cross-Sectional (n=378)
No
Elective surgical case cancellation rates are high (25.6%) in this Ethiopian hospital, driven primarily by time-related factors, advanced age, and low income.
Identifies factors linked to high cancellation rates; leaves open whether interventions reduce delays in similar low-resource settings.
Background: Elective surgical case cancellation is a pervasive global challenge, with rates ranging from 0.37 to 40% in developed nations and reaching up to 73% in low- and middle-income countries. In Ethiopia, while descriptive studies indicate high cancellation rates, there is a lack of analytical studies identifying the associated factors. This study aimed to determine the magnitude and associated factors of elective surgical case cancellations in the study area. Methods: This hybrid retrospective and prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2024 to April 2025 among 378 systematically sampled elective surgical cases. Data were collected using pretested, structured questionnaires and medical record reviews. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were employed to identify associated factors, with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) at a 95% confidence interval and a P -value < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The magnitude of elective surgical case cancellation was 25.6% (95% CI: 20.94, 30.26). The leading reasons for cancellation were time-related factors (28.7%, n = 27), including prolonged previous cases (17.0%, n = 16) and emergency case priority (11.7%, n = 11), as well as facility/management-related issues (23.4%, n = 22). Factors significantly associated with cancellation included age 61–70 years [AOR = 2.83; 95% CI (1.29, 6.24)], age 71 years and above [AOR = 3.68; 95% CI (1.37, 9.85)], and a monthly income less than 2000 Birr [AOR = 2.67; 95% CI (1.44, 4.98)]. Conclusion: The cancellation rate exceeded the recommended benchmark. Advanced age and low income were significant risk factors. We recommend implementing thorough preoperative assessments, creating realistic surgical schedules, optimizing resource management, and establishing effective policies to mitigate this issue.
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Walle et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Elective surgical case cancellation (n=378). Advanced age (≥71 years) vs. Younger age was evaluated on Elective surgical case cancellation (AOR 3.68, 95% CI 1.37-9.85). The overall rate of elective surgical case cancellation was 25.6%, with advanced age (≥71 years; AOR 3.68, 95% CI 1.37-9.85) and low income identified as significant risk factors.
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