Health-care seeking behavior among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Salahadin Governorate

Abstract

Background and objectives: The burden of tuberculosis on public health is staggering and has become of growing concern to stakeholders in recent times worldwide. Patients delay in seeking care increases the transmission of pulmonary tuberculosis and hence the burden of the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the patterns and determinants of patients delay in seeking treatment among pulmonary tuberculosis cases attending the chest and respiratory consultation center in Salahadin governorate. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 50 tuberculosis cases attending the chest and respiratory consultation center in Salahadin governorate. A questionnaire was used to collect the data that by face to face interview with the patient including25 questions divided into two sections of identification information, socio-demographic characteristics and health seeking history. Results: The median patient delay was 3.9 weeks. The median health system delay was 3.0 weeks. The median total delay was 8.9 weeks. The highest percentage of patients’ first health seeking places was the private clinic 72%. Conclusions: The major cause of delay in seeking treatment among pulmonary tuberculosis cases was attributed to patient and the health system. Decentralization of the treatment is fundamental for earlier diagnosis. Involvement of private sectors in the treatment program will result in a decrease in the delay of tuberculosis patients.