| dc.description.abstract | Introduction
Tuberculosis is one of the major public health concerns in South Sudan and the most outstandingly control strategies in the country are active and passive cases finding whereby public in the midst of symptoms are anticipated to go to health services and look for by Health personnel.
General objective (Goal)
The study determined factors influencing delay in diagnosis of TB among TB suspects in Rumbek State Hospital, and it also determined the proportion of TB patients who seek early diagnosis and treatment.
Methodology
The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which data was collected one and there was no further follow up of cases. A cross-sectional study of 100 patients attending health services and treatment at Rumbek State Hospital were investigated using quantitative methods of data collection. Data was collected by used of questionnaires based face to face interviews.
Results
Of 100 patients interviewed, only (44%) of the respondents visited a medical provider within one week after the appearance of the first symptoms, whereas (56%) of the patients visited health care providers after one week thus a delay in diagnosis of tuberculosis.
It was also observed that more than an half of the respondents 52% were between the age of 25-42 years, followed by 28 (28%) above the age of 43 years whereas 20 (20%) of the respondents were in between the age of 14-24 years. On the other hand, the more than half of the respondents 52 (52%) were female whereas 48 (48%) were male. In regard to the residence of the respondents, more than half 68 (68%) of the respondents mentioned that they were living in permanent residences whereas 32 (32%) were living in cattle camps. Lastly, according to the occupation of the respondents, below half 38(38%) were housewives, followed by 32 (32%) farmers, 27(27%) soldiers whereas only 3 (3%) were self-employed.
According to the means of transport of the patients to reach Rumbek State Hospital, more than half 55 (55.0%) of the respondents underlined that they were advised by a friend or relatives, 26 (26.0%) came by their own, 17 (17.0%) of the respondents were referred by other medical providers whereas as a small portion of the respondents 2 (2.0%) came to the hospital through other means. Among the referred patients from other medical providers, the majority 12 (70.0%) of the respondents mentioned that it took them to reach Rumbek State Hospital more than one week whereas 5 (29.4%) mentioned access of less than one week.
Conclusion
Delay of TB diagnosis and treatment was highly prevalent in this study area. Both patient and health system share an equal responsibility. Patients’ factors can modulate health system’s period while health system factors play the same role for patients’ period.
Recommendation
Continue sensitization of patients on the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of TB will ensure that there is good early treatment of all TB cases leading to reduction in transmitting TB to other community or individuals. | en_US |
