Abstract:
Background: Early diagnosis and prompt treatment is essential for an effective tuberculosis (TB) control program.
However, significant proportion of cases remains undiagnosed and untreated. Delay in diagnosis and treatment
increases transmission. Hence, the study assessed the length of delay and associated factors with tuberculosis
diagnosis and treatment among adults attending public health facilities in Gondar town, Northwest Ethiopia.
Method: An institution based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May, 2016. A total of 296
adults who came to health facilities for treatment for pulmonary TB from February to May, 2016, were included in
the study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire through interviewing and record review, cleaned,
coded, and entered into Epi-info version 3.5.3, and transferred into SPSS version 20.0 for further statistical analysis. A
p-value of less than 0.05 at multiple linear regression analysis was considered statistically significant.
Result: The mean duration of the total delay (in days) for tuberculosis diagnosis and initiation of treatment was 41.
6 days (SD = 16.6). In this study, the mean duration of patient delay and the median health system delay were 33.
9 days (SD = 14) and 5 days (IQR = 4–7), respectively. Total delay for TB diagnosis and treatment was shorter among
HIV positive people (β:-12.62, 95% CI: −20.72,-4.53). Longer patient delay was noted among rural dwellers (β: 8.0,
95% CI: 5.26, 10.75); increased household income (β:-0.006, 95% CI: −0.008,-0.004) was associated with a shorter
delay. Health system delay was positively associated with seeking care from more than one health care providers
(β: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.34) and seeking initial care from primary level health care facilities (β: 0.10, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.13).
Conclusion: In this study, the majority of patients faced delayed in seeking health care and continued as sources of
infection. Longer days of delay for TB diagnosis and treatment were noted among rural residents, who seek health
care from informal care providers, and receive initial care from primary level health care facilities. In contrast, the
length of delay for TB diagnosis and treatment was shorter among HIV positive people and individuals with
increased household income. Therefore, public awareness on the symptoms of tuberculosis and seeking health care
early is essential. Moreover, early diagnosis and treatment, especially among the rural dwellers and the poor should
be focused.
