Barriers and Facilitators to Timely Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Children and Adolescents in Karachi, Pakistan

Sara Ahmad (), Maria Jaswal, Amyn Abdul Malik, Maria Omar, Iraj Batool, Ammad Fahim, Hannah N. Gilbert, Carole D. Mitnick, Farhana Amanullah and Courtney M. Yuen
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Sara Ahmad: Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Maria Jaswal: Baitussalam Welfare Trust, Karachi 75500, Pakistan
Amyn Abdul Malik: UT Southwestern Medical Center, O’Donnell School of Public Health, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
Maria Omar: Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi 75190, Pakistan
Iraj Batool: Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi 75190, Pakistan
Ammad Fahim: Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi 75190, Pakistan
Hannah N. Gilbert: Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Carole D. Mitnick: Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Farhana Amanullah: Interactive Research and Development (IRD) Global, TB Program, Singapore 048581, Singapore
Courtney M. Yuen: Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 10, 1-14

Abstract: Background: The diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in children and adolescents is often delayed. We conducted a study to understand the barriers and facilitators to the diagnosis of TB in children and adolescents in a not-for-profit private hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Methods: We conducted a convergent mixed-methods study comprising quantitative surveys with caregivers of 100 TB patients < 18 years old and 40 semi-structured interviews with caregivers and healthcare providers. Results: Among TB patients whose caregivers were surveyed, 82% were adolescents 10–17 years old. Caregivers reported a median of 91 days (IQR 58–160) between symptom onset and treatment initiation. Time was divided relatively evenly between symptom onset and the first visit to a healthcare provider (median 73, IQR 42–130 days), and between this visit and TB diagnosis (median 65 days, IQR 30–114). While 69% of caregivers initially visited general physicians, many felt that these general physicians did not provide satisfactory healthcare. Caregivers mentioned financial constraints as a major barrier affecting all stages of the journey to diagnosis and treatment. Conclusions: Interventions that overcome financial barriers and strategies that enhance the capacity of private sector general physicians are necessary to reduce delays in TB diagnosis and treatment initiation for children and adolescents.

Keywords: tuberculosis; adolescent; child; delayed diagnosis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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