Abstract :
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health challenge for various reasons,
with patient delay in the diagnosis of TB being one of the important hurdles in TB
control. Early treatment of TB cases is important for reducing transmission, morbidity
and mortality associated with TB.
Objectives: (a) To study the treatment seeking behavior among TB patients attending
DOTS Centers; (b) to determine any delay in seeking treatment among patients; and (c)
to identify reasons and associated factors responsible for patient’s delay.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among newly
diagnosed pulmonary TB patients who were registered under the Revised National TB
control program (RNTCP) in Jai Prakash TU of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Patients were
interviewed using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire which was designed to
elicit the treatment-seeking behavior and factors associated with patient delay. SPSS
software was used for analysis and chi-square statistical test was used to compare two
groups for proportions.
Keyword :
Treatment-seeking behavior, Pulmonary tuberculosis, Patient delay, DOTS center.