Influencing factors for delay in case-finding of active pulmonary tuberculosis in students in Sichuan, 2016–2018

ObjectiveTo understand the delay of active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) case-finding in students and related influencing factors in Sichuan province, and provide evidence for the development of intervention strategies.

MethodsThe data of 2 666 untreated TB cases in students were randomized collected from National Tuberculosis Management Information System, and the information about the delays in the finding of these cases were analyzed, and χ² test and multiple logistic regression model were used to analyze the risk factors associated with the casefinding delay.

ResultsThe median of delay in the finding of 2 666 pulmonary TB cases in students in Sichuan was 24 d from 2016 to 2018, the proportion of the pulmonary TB cases reported without delay (0–30 d) was 57.1%, the pulmonary TB cases reported with delay of 1–2 months (31–60 d) and those reported with delay of ≥2 months (＞60 d) accounted for 23.3% and 19.6% respectively. Age ＜16 and ≥19 years, minority ethnic group, non-local residence, case source (tracing), first medical seeking in health facilities at county level, positive results of Mycobacterium tuberculosis test were the risk factors for over 2 month case finding delay.

ConclusionThe case-finding delay of pulmonary TB in students was common in Sichuan. It is necessary for schools and health facilities to take effective and comprehensive intervention measures targeting risk factors to reduce the delay in pulmonary TB case finding in students.