TITLE:
Determinants of Patients’ Attitudes toward Neurosurgery: Insights from Togo
AUTHORS:
Agbéko Komlan Doléagbénou, Lidaou Béléyi, Anthony Katanga Békéti, Essossinam Kpélao
KEYWORDS:
Neurosurgery, Patients’ Attitudes, Health Perceptions, Global Health, Togo, Sub-Saharan Africa
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Neuroscience,
Vol.15 No.4,
October
24,
2025
ABSTRACT: Background: Access to neurosurgical care in sub-Saharan Africa is constrained not only by limited infrastructure and workforce shortages but also by patient perceptions. No study has previously examined these determinants in Togo. This study assessed patients’ knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward neurosurgery and identified factors that influence their acceptance of care. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 374 patients at CHU Sylvanus Olympio in Lomé, Togo, from March to June 2024. A structured questionnaire captured sociodemographic data, knowledge of neurosurgery, cost perceptions, willingness to undergo surgery, and preferences for surgeons. Associations between determinants and attitudes were tested using chi-square analysis. Results: Most participants (78.1%) were unable to define neurosurgery, and two-thirds (67.9%) were unaware of its existence in Togo—nearly 90% perceived neurosurgery as prohibitively expensive. Only 58.3% would accept surgery if indicated, with higher acceptance among educated patients, those who understood their diagnosis, and those who believed in recovery (p Conclusion: Patients in Togo demonstrate limited knowledge and significant concerns about neurosurgical care, shaped by education, health literacy, and socioeconomic factors. Strengthening public awareness, enhancing physician-patient communication, expanding financial protection, and investing in local capacity are crucial to reducing reliance on care abroad and fostering trust in national services.