Patient Health Seeking and Diagnostic Delay in Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis: A Hospital Based Study from Central India. (3rd February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Purohit, Manju Raj; Purohit, Rajvi; Mustafa, Tehmina
• Other Names: Jarlier Vincent Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Tuberculosis research and treatment. Volume 2019(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-02-03
• Subjects: Tuberculosis -- Periodicals; Tuberculosis -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Tuberculosis -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Tuberculosis -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 616.995005
• DOI: 10.1155/2019/4840561
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-150X

Abstract

Abstract : Objective . We aimed to investigate the awareness, health care seeking behavior, and diagnostic delay in extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) in a resource-constrained setting from Central India. Setting and Method . Questionnaire based interview of 1220 EPTB patients ≥14 years of age was conducted between July 2004 and August 2012 at Ujjain charitable Hospital, Ujjain, India. Results . Only 15% of patients had ever heard about EPTB and 2-4% knew about its prevention or treatment. Only 12% patients first sought medical advice while 49% patients practiced self-medication, 28% consulted traditional healers and 11% drug store/pharmacy. The median patient delay was 8 weeks (4.6-21.4 weeks). Majority (78%) of patients visited ≥3 health centers. Thirty-eight percent patients first visited any government health facility. Majority (97%) who first visited district and primary public health center were referred to private sector for investigations and 82% patients changed the consultation to private doctor after initial visit to public hospital. The median health system delay was 7 weeks (0.6-16.4 weeks). Conclusion . Patients had very poor awareness of EPTB. Patients were referred from public to private sector in search of diagnostic facilities. Improvement of public awareness about EPTB and better public-private partnership may contribute towards reduction in diagnostic delay.