[Seeking tuberculosis care in Chiapas, Mexico].
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the process of seeking tuberculosis care and this process's impact on treatment adherence in the Mexican state of Chiapas, given that the two primary factors in successful tuberculosis (TB) control programs are early diagnosis and adherence to TB treatment.


METHODS
We conducted a qualitative study using group interviews with 11 groups of patients in three of the nine socioeconomic regions of the state of the Chiapas (Altos, Centro, and Fronteriza).


RESULTS
The patients applied a variety of approaches in seeking care. The patients reported considerable delays in diagnosis due to problems that the patients themselves had and because of shortcomings in the care they received from the formal health care system. The treatment options that they followed were the result of their perceptions of the causes of TB and of the variety of traditional medical practices accepted in their communities.


CONCLUSIONS
The lack of knowledge about TB encourages people to consider various alternatives for their care. Tuberculosis control in Chiapas requires an optimal utilization of the health services that exist in the state as well as a program of health education. TB control in Chiapas must take into account the social, cultural, and economic reality of the population.
Alvarez Gordillo
G C
GC
El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Chiapas, México. galvarez@sclc.ecosur.mx
Dorantes Jiménez
J E
JE
Molina Rosales
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010349:Patient Compliance; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*