title: Time between sputum examination and treatment in patients with smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis.
abstract: The time between sputum examination and commencement of treatment in patients registered with smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in four hospitals in Malawi was investigated. Information was obtained in 701 of 887 patients who were registered over a 12-month period between 1997 and 1998: 86% were started on treatment within 3 weeks of sputum examination, 14% were started after a 3-week interval and 6% after a 6-week interval. Such delays are unacceptable, for a number of reasons. Recommendations will go to programme staff to repeat sputum examination in PTB suspects with an abnormal chest radiograph whose negative sputum smears were examined more than 3 weeks previously.
authors.affiliation: National Tuberculosis Control Programme, Ministry of Health and Population, Lilongwe, Malawi.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Salaniponi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gausi
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kwanjana
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Harries
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy