Patient delay in seeking tuberculosis diagnosis and associated factors in Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess patient delay in seeking tuberculosis diagnosis and associated factors in Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

RESULTS: The median patient delay in tuberculosis diagnosis in Hadiya Zone was found to be 30 days. Socioeconomic and perception related factors were identified as independent predictors for tuberculosis diagnosis delay. Socioeconomic characteristics like urban residence [OR 2.36; CI 1.64-3.40], religious views [OR 1.24; CI 1.73-7.0], low monthly income [OR 3.38; CI 2.01-5.66] were statistically significantly associated with patient delay in tuberculosis diagnosis. On the other hand, attitudinal determinants such as misconception about the time of TB treatment to be cured and lack of comfort with directly observed treatment short course service [OR 1.54; CI 1.02-2.30] were identified as independent predictors of patient delay in tuberculosis diagnosis. Thus, there is a need for more robust information dissemination strategy to ultimately change people's views that tuberculosis can only be cured when diagnosed and treated promptly.