[Why detection of patients with TB is delayed].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the reasons of delay of medical attention for patients with TB in Chongqing.


METHODS
A questionnaire survey was carried out in 1005 patients with suspected TB.


RESULTS
Serious delay on seeking medical help was common in the patients with suspected TB. Sex, employment, health insurance, average income, self-treatment, TB related knowledge, and the behavior of medical practitioners were associated with the delay.


CONCLUSIONS
Extended coverage of health insurance and improved health education on TB control strategies are needed to reduce the serious delay of TB detection. Collaborations between private medical institutions and TB control centers are also necessary.
Xu
Jia-Wei
JW
Public Health School of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
Wang
Yang
Y
Long
Qian
Q
Li
Ying
Y
Wang
Hong
H
Yue
Yong
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult