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Updated: Oct 2, 2025
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An Automated Culture System for Use in Preclinical Testing of Host-Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis
Published on: August 16, 2021
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Time to care-seeking for TB symptoms
L Mmolawa1, T Siwelana1, C F Hanrahan2
1Perinatal HIV Research Unit, South Africa Medical Research Council Soweto Matlosana Collaborating Centre for HIV/AIDS and TB, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Summary
Delaying care for tuberculosis (TB) symptoms is linked to older age, less education, and smoking. Targeted TB awareness campaigns for these groups can improve care-seeking and reduce transmission.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Disease Control
Background:
- Early diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) are crucial for effective disease management.
- This study investigates patient delays in seeking care for TB symptoms among primary healthcare clinic attendees in South Africa.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze self-reported time to care-seeking from TB symptom onset.
- To identify risk factors associated with delayed healthcare-seeking behavior in TB patients.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from a cluster-randomized trial involving 2,160 participants across 56 primary healthcare clinics.
- Employed log-normal accelerated failure time regression models to determine time ratios (TRs) for risk factors.
Main Results:
- The median time to care-seeking for active TB was 30 days; adults delayed care more than children/adolescents (aTR 1.47).
- Factors associated with longer delays included being HIV-positive, less than grade 8 education, and current smoking.
- Living with HIV and having active TB correlated with faster care-seeking (interaction: TR 0.68).
Conclusions:
- Delayed care-seeking for TB is associated with older age, lower educational attainment, and current smoking status.
- Public health interventions and TB awareness campaigns targeting these demographics are recommended to improve timely care-seeking.
- Reducing delays can significantly contribute to decreased community TB transmission.
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