Delays in seeking treatment for symptomatic tuberculosis in Sabah, East Malaysia: factors for patient delay

SETTING: The state of Sabah contributes one third of the tuberculosis (TB) cases in Malaysia.

OBJECTIVE: To collect information on factors that affect the time period from the onset of symptoms to first contact with health care providers, whether private or government.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study using a pre-tested questionnaire was conducted among 296 newly registered smear-positive TB patients in 10 districts in Sabah. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to determine which risk factors were associated with patient delay (>30 days) and ‘extreme’ patient delay (>90 days).

RESULTS: The percentage of patients who sought treatment after 30 and 90 days was respectively 51.8% (95%CI 45.7–57.9) and 23.5% (95%CI 18.6–29.0). The strongest factors associated with patient delay and ‘extreme’ patient delay was when the first choice for treatment was a non-government health facility and in 30–39-year-olds. ‘Extreme’ patient delay was also weakly associated, among other factors, with comorbidity and livestock ownership.

CONCLUSION: Delay and extreme delay in seeking treatment were more common when the usual first treatment choice was a non-government health facility. Continuous health education on TB aimed at raising awareness and correcting misconceptions is needed, particularly among those who use non-government facilities.