Determinants of delay in treatment-seeking among malaria patients attending health facilities in Ethiopia from 2010 to 2024: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The pooled prevalence of delay in treatment-seeking among malaria patients was high. Health literacy, behavioural factors, accessibility, infrastructure, clinical factors, financial barriers, and socio-demographic factors were significantly associated with delay in treatment-seeking. To reduce delay in treatment-seeking, it is recommended to strengthen malaria education campaigns, target fear of drug side effects, expand community health outreach services, reduce out-of-pocket health care expenses, integrate community-level data, and engage with affected communities and families.