<![CDATA[Introduction. In rural areas, several residents have died suddenly with chest pain and shortness of breath, some before reaching medical care, a pattern likely associated with sudden cardiac arrest. Reported reasons for delayed care include lack of transportation and self-treatment at home. This study analyzed factors influencing patients' decisions to seek care during an Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) attack. Method. This quantitative, cross-sectional study involved 94 respondents selected using purposive sampling. Independent variables were education, economic status, access to health care facilities, family support, and the health care system; the dependent variable was patients' decision to seek care at a health care facility. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed with Spearman's Rho test at alpha less than or equal to 0.05. Result & Analysis. Significant relationships were found between all five factors and patients' decisions to seek care during an ACS attack: education (p = 0.047, r = -0.205), source of financing (p < 0.001, r = -0.366), access to health care facilities (p = 0.037, r = 0.215), family support (p = 0.041, r = -0.211), and the health care system (p = 0.001, r = -0.483). Discussion. Education, economic status, access, family support, and the health care system each significantly shape patients' decisions to seek care during an ACS attack. Qualitative research is recommended for deeper understanding of these decisions.]]>
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