Time Delay and Associated Factors in Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Markazi Province

Introduction: Delay in the diagnosis of tuberculosis increases the risk of death and enhances the transmission of disease in the community. This study aims to determine the patient and health service delay and factors affecting it in tuberculosis diagnosis. Materials & Methods: A cross-sectional survey that included all the public health centers was conducted in Markazi province from March ۲۰۰۹ till June ۲۰۱۱. Patients were interviewed after diagnosis by using a structured questionnaire. Results: One hundred and sixty-six patients aged between ۹ and ۸۷ (median ۶۶) years were included in the study. They comprised ۸۷ (۵۲.۴%) females and ۷۹ (۴۷.۶%) males. The median and mean of patient delay was ۳۵ and ۶۲ days, respectively the median and mean of health system diagnosis delay was ۳۴ and ۵۳ days, respectively the median and mean of health system treatment delay was ۵ and ۶ days, respectively The median and mean of total delays were ۸۶ and ۱۲۱ days, respectively for all patients. The main determinants of delay were non education, poor economic, private sector, female gender and age≥۵۵. Conclusion: The results of this review suggest that there is a need for revising case-finding strategies and reduction of infectious cases for better control of tuberculosis.