The international journal of tuberculosis and lung disease : the official journal of the International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
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Int. J. Tuberc. Lung Dis. · Sep 2002
Factors associated with patient and health system delays in the diagnosis of tuberculosis in South India.
To investigate the factors associated with delay in 1) care-seeking (patient delay), and 2) diagnosis by health providers (health system delay), among smear-positive tuberculosis patients, before large-scale DOTS implementation in South India. ⋯ Public awareness about chest symptoms and the availability of free diagnostic services should be increased. Government and private physicians should be educated to be aware about the possibility of tuberculosis when examining out-patients. Effective referrals for smear microscopy should be developed between private and public providers.