Delay in diagnosis of tuberculosis and related factors from a district in Kerala, India

Early diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis is of vital importance both to cure patients and to reduce transmission for effective control of tuberculosis, It is important to know whether tuberculosis is diagnosed in time and also what causes delay if any.

The study was conducted with the objective of knowing the time taken to diagnose tuberculosis from the onset of symptoms and to identify the causes for delay if any.

A study was conducted in the District of Malapppuram Kerala, South India among newly diagnosed smear positive tuberculosis patients. 489 patients were interviewed soon after diagnosis and their socio-demographic characteristics and details from onset of symptoms to diagnosis were collected using a structured format.

The mean time taken by the patient for consultation after onset was 36 days and the mean time for diagnosis was 42 days and total time until diagnosis was 78 days. 72.8% patients consult within 6 weeks of onset and 74.7% are diagnosed within 6 weeks of consultation. The delay for diagnosis was more with private institutions. Diagnosis took less time when government facilities are consulted and when cough was a prominent symptom. Socio demographic factors are seen not affecting the time.

There is delay in diagnosing tuberculosis especially with private health providers and more efforts are required to reduce the same.