Pulmonary tuberculosis and health-seeking behaviour: how to get a delayed diagnosis in Cali, Colombia.
Tuberculosis is a heavy burden in the developing countries. Early diagnosis and adherence to treatment are difficult to achieve by patients. Our qualitative research looked at the paths followed and the barriers experienced by patients at the health care services of Cali, Colombia, while seeking help for pulmonary tuberculosis symptoms. Results show that the cultural-based explanation patients give to the symptoms, the stigma attached to the disease, and the poor quality of health care services (communication skills, organizational structure, attitudes, and knowledge of the tuberculosis control strategy of health care workers) are strong barriers to early diagnosis.
Jaramillo
E
E
School of Public Health, Universidad del Valle and Fundación CIDEIM, Cali, Colombia.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003105:Colombia; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D014504:Urban Health