Delays in care seeking treatment among persons with new pulmonary tuberculosis in Mandalay District, Central Myanmar

Main Article Content

Phyu Phyu Thin
Aroonsri Mongkolchati
Orapin Laosee

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem, and Myanmar is one of the 20 TB high-burden countries worldwide. Delay in getting TB diagnosis and treatment will lead to a disastrous impact on the community. This study aims to assess the delays in treatment-seeking and associated factors among new pulmonary TB patients in Mandalay District, central Myanmar. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 TB at outpatient department (OPD) public health facility sites. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews and treatment-card reviews of new adult patients who registered and started treatment with the standard regimen from December 2015 to May 2016. Delay time was categorised by using median cut-off. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relative impact of predictor variables on delays in seeking treatment. The analysis revealed that being aged 35 years or older (AOR 1.85, 95% CI 1.05–3.28) and low level of knowledge (AOR 2.29, 95% CI 1.29–4.08) contributed to a delay in seeking diagnosis and treatment, while the total medical and transportation cost (AOR 0.45, 95% CI 0.25–0.81) and no symptomatic (AOR 0.43, 95% CI 0.21–0.90) could increase the delay. Strengthening the health education activities for the community about TB and capacity building of health care providers to increase suspicion for identifying TB and early diagnosis are crucial.

Article Details

How to Cite
1.
Thin PP, Mongkolchati A, Laosee O. Delays in care seeking treatment among persons with new pulmonary tuberculosis in Mandalay District, Central Myanmar. J Public Hlth Dev [Internet]. 2020 Mar. 25 [cited 2024 Dec. 9];18(1):9-19. Available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/AIHD-MU/article/view/240147
Section
Original Articles
Author Biographies

Phyu Phyu Thin, ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

Aroonsri Mongkolchati, ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

Orapin Laosee, ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand

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