Delay in seeking medical consultation among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in migrants

Objective To analyze the delay in seeking medical consultation among pumlonary tuberculosis patients in migrants and its influence factors.Methods A total of 314 migrant tuberculosis patients from 12 counties or districts of Shandong province were administered a faceto face interview with a self made questionnaire.Results The mean delay in seeking medical consultation among the patients was 18.84 days,with a median of 10 days.Of all patients,196(59.2%) took equal or less than two weeks from the on set of the symptoms to treamtent; 77(24.5%)took equal or more than 4 weeks;51(16.2%)took 2.4 weeks.Factors a ffecting the delayinc luded working days per week,health insurance status,severity of the initial symptoms,and the distance to the nearest township health centre from the residence.Conclusion The occurrunce of delay in seeking medical consultation among puml onary tuberculosis patients in migrants is serious.Many factors affect the delay.