Abstract
ObjectiveTo assess patient delay in seeking tuberculosis diagnosis and associated factors in Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia.ResultsThe median patient delay in tuberculosis diagnosis in Hadiya Zone was found to be 30 days. Socioeconomic and perception related factors were identified as independent predictors for tuberculosis diagnosis delay. Socioeconomic characteristics like urban residence [OR 2.36; CI 1.64–3.40], religious views [OR 1.24; CI 1.73–7.0], low monthly income [OR 3.38; CI 2.01–5.66] were statistically significantly associated with patient delay in tuberculosis diagnosis. On the other hand, attitudinal determinants such as misconception about the time of TB treatment to be cured and lack of comfort with directly observed treatment short course service [OR 1.54; CI 1.02–2.30] were identified as independent predictors of patient delay in tuberculosis diagnosis. Thus, there is a need for more robust information dissemination strategy to ultimately change people’s views that tuberculosis can only be cured when diagnosed and treated promptly.
Highlights
Despite the implementation of decentralized tuberculosis control programs such as directly observed treatment short course (DOTS), TB remains to be a major public health threat in resource limited countries including Ethiopia [1]
TB case detection rate in Ethiopia was 67.3% in 2015, which was more than 2014 achievement (53.7%) but below the target set by ministry of health and World Health Organization (WHO)
Socioeconomic characteristics Out of 398 tuberculosis patients involved in the study, 395 (99.3%) of them provided complete information. 224 (56.7%) of the patients were males and 171 (43.3%) of them were females
Summary
Despite the implementation of decentralized tuberculosis control programs such as directly observed treatment short course (DOTS), TB remains to be a major public health threat in resource limited countries including Ethiopia [1]. Tuberculosis early case detection and prompt treatment of infectious cases are believed to be the basis to reverse the incidence of the disease. This can be promulgated by the fact that most of the tuberculosis transmissions occur between onset of TB symptoms and initiation of treatment [2]. The remaining half will continue to transmit TB infection in the community until detected by other health sectors. In this regard, a single case of untreated smear positive tuberculosis can infect up to 15 people annually and over 20 during the natural course of untreated disease [5]. To strengthen the passive case detection strategy which is most cost effective and most appropriate for developing countries like
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