Main Article Content
High level of delays in tuberculosis diagnosis and the associated factors in a pastoralist community in West Pokot County, Kenya
Abstract
Background: Delays in tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis and treatment increases the infectiousness of the disease thus sustaining transmission within the community. Therefore, timely diagnosis is critical in the prevention and control of TB.
Objective: To assess the level of delay in TB diagnosis and the associated factors in West Pokot County, Kenya.
Methods: This was a facility based cross-sectional study involving 208 pulmonary tuberculosis patients in the intensive phase of treatment. Interviewer administered questionnaire wasused to collect data.
Results: There was a high level of delay in TB diagnosis. The median patient delay, health system delay and total delay were 66(IQR: 34-92), 31(IQR: 7-58) and 101(IQR: 68-137) days respectively. Majority 143(68.8%) of the respondents had a poor level of TB knowledge. The male gender and low level of TB knowledge were significantly associated with patient delay. The main reasons causing delays were misdiagnosis, long distance to the health facility and lack of awareness of the need for early diagnosis.
Conclusion: There was high level of delay in TB diagnosis and treatment in the study area. There is a need to raise TB awareness among community members on the importance of early diagnosis of TB. Innovative approaches such intensive case finding and mobile clinics are recommended to improve timely diagnosis in pastoralist communities.
Objective: To assess the level of delay in TB diagnosis and the associated factors in West Pokot County, Kenya.
Methods: This was a facility based cross-sectional study involving 208 pulmonary tuberculosis patients in the intensive phase of treatment. Interviewer administered questionnaire wasused to collect data.
Results: There was a high level of delay in TB diagnosis. The median patient delay, health system delay and total delay were 66(IQR: 34-92), 31(IQR: 7-58) and 101(IQR: 68-137) days respectively. Majority 143(68.8%) of the respondents had a poor level of TB knowledge. The male gender and low level of TB knowledge were significantly associated with patient delay. The main reasons causing delays were misdiagnosis, long distance to the health facility and lack of awareness of the need for early diagnosis.
Conclusion: There was high level of delay in TB diagnosis and treatment in the study area. There is a need to raise TB awareness among community members on the importance of early diagnosis of TB. Innovative approaches such intensive case finding and mobile clinics are recommended to improve timely diagnosis in pastoralist communities.
