Delay in seeking initial care for Tuberculosis Diagnosis

Abstract

Descriptive study, which aimed to analyzethe time between the perception of TB symptoms onset and the first search forhealth services, according to TB patientcharacteristics in São José do Rio Preto- SP. 97 TB patients in treatment were interviewedwith a structured instrument.The delay was identified by the mediantime between the perception of TB symptom'sonset and the patients demand forcare (> 15 days). To identify the variablesrelated to delay the prevalence ratio were calculated. There was a delay seeking careamong: male patients, aged 18 to 29 and50 to 59 years, lower education and higherfamily income, pulmonary cases withoutHIV co-infection, presenting milder symptoms,users of alcoholic beverages and tobacco,those who did not perform preventivehealth control, and who sought healthservices closer to home. The recognition ofusers' profiles in the search for care is paramountfor defining strategies that favor the use of services in a timely manner.