Determinants of Health Care-Seeking Delay among Tuberculosis Patients in Rural Area of Central China

Yeqing Tong, Xuhua Guan, Shuangyi Hou, Li Cai, Yadong Huang, Lei Wang, Faxian Zhan, Yuqin Shi and Jiafa Liu
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Yeqing Tong: Institute of Infectious Diseases, Hubei Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan 430079, China
Xuhua Guan: Institute of Infectious Diseases, Hubei Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan 430079, China
Shuangyi Hou: Institute of Infectious Diseases, Hubei Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan 430079, China
Li Cai: Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan 430015, China
Yadong Huang: Institute of Infectious Diseases, Hubei Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan 430079, China
Lei Wang: Institute of Infectious Diseases, Hubei Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan 430079, China
Faxian Zhan: Institute of Infectious Diseases, Hubei Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan 430079, China
Yuqin Shi: School of Public Health, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430081, China
Jiafa Liu: Institute of Infectious Diseases, Hubei Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan 430079, China

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 9, 1-9

Abstract: Background The prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) in low and middle-income countries is a significant public health and social concern. TB is a common infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, which has a widespread infection rate. Health care-seeking delay maybe one of the most important neglected risk factors for the spread of TB. Objectives The aim of this study was to understand the situation of health care-seeking delay among rural tuberculosis patients in Hubei Province, and explore its risk factors. Methods A total of 1408 rural tuberculosis patients were surveyed using a standard structured questionnaire in three cities of Hubei Province during the past two years. Results For the 1408cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, 39.70% of them were health care-seeking delayed. Logistic regressions indicate that the Han nationality, farming careers, the over 45 min walk to the township’s hospital, and awareness of the national TB free treatment policy, were significantly associated with higher odds of a delay in care seeking. Conclusions The prevalence of health care-seeking delay among tuberculosis patients was high in rural areas. It is essential to take comprehensive targeted interventions to reduce care-seeking delay.

Keywords: tuberculosis; health care-seeking delay; risk factors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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