Patient delay in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis in China: findings of case detection projects
Method: Records of new smear-positive PTB patients were reviewed. Data sources were the consultation book, laboratory register, patient record, treatment card and the PWLAHS (people with limited access to health services) evaluation form. Data were collected using a standard questionnaire, cross-checked by staff from the sites and by the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) and analysed by The Union.
Results: Of the 75 401 new smear-positive PTB patients included in the study, 63–89% were PWLAHS. The average gross domestic product of the project sites and at national level were respectively US$557 and US$998. The median patient delay was 93 days (range 68–128). Delays were longer among females, older patients, rural residents and PWLAHS. Delayed access to health services was significantly associated with a greater number of symptoms.
Conclusion: Patient delay in accessing health care in China was lengthy; TB care and control needs to be improved.
Keywords: China; associate factors; delay; tuberculosis
Document Type: Research Article
Affiliations: 1: International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), Beijing, China 2: The Union, Paris, France 3: Jiangxi Provincial Tuberculosis Institute, Nanchang, China 4: Anhui Provincial Tuberculosis Institute, Hefei, China 5: Jilin Provincial Tuberculosis Institute, Changchun, China 6: Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumour Research Institute, Beijing, China 7: Shaanxi Provincial Tuberculosis Institute, Xian, China 8: Guizhou Provincial Tuberculosis Institute, Guiyang, China 9: Xianyang Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Xianyang, China 10: Chongqing Tuberculosis Institute, Chongqing, China
Publication date: March 21, 2015
Public Health Action (PHA), The Union's quarterly Open Access journal, welcomes the submission of articles on operational research. It publishes high-quality scientific research on health services, providing new knowledge on how to improve access, equity, quality and efficiency of health systems and services.
The Editors will consider any manuscript reporting original research on quality improvements, cost-benefit analysis, legislation, training and capacity building, with a focus on all relevant areas of public health (e.g. infection control, nutrition, TB, HIV, vaccines, smoking, COVID-19, microbial resistance, outbreaks etc).
- Editorial Board
- Information for Authors
- International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
- Public Health Action
- Ingenta Connect is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites
- Access Key
- Free content
- Partial Free content
- New content
- Open access content
- Partial Open access content
- Subscribed content
- Partial Subscribed content
- Free trial content