Factors associated with delayed tuberculosis test-seeking behavior in the Peruvian Amazon

Carolyn M. Ford, Angela M. Bayer, Robert H. Gilman, Dami Onifade, Colleen Acosta, Lilia Cabrera, Carlos Vidal, Carlton A. Evans

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

32 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the psychosocial factors arrociated with delayed test-seeking among tuberculosis patients. The duration of symptoms before seeking medical care was assessed by interview for 108 newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients in the city of Iquitos in the Peruvian Amazon, which has high tuberculosis incidence. Beliefs associated with test-seeking behavior and delay was assessed in these patients. The median delay from symptom onset to seeking diagnostic testing was 61 days (inter-quartile range 30-91 days). The belief that tuberculosis is curable was associated with a 100% longer test-seeking delay; the perception that tuberculosis was common was associated with a 57% longer delay; male gender was associated with a 48% longer delay; and education less than complete secondary schooling was associated with a 44% longer delay. In conclusion, current health promotion activities that emphasize tuberculosis curability and high prevalence may paradoxically increase test-seeking delay and therefore require prospective evaluation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1097-1102
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume81
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2009
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

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