Willingness to seek medical care for tuberculosis and associated factors among the elderly population in Shenzhen: a cross-sectional study

Objectives This study was aimed to assess the willingness of elderly people to seek medical care for tuberculosis (TB) and the associated influencing factors. Design A cross-sectional study. Setting A multistage random survey was conducted in Bao'an District of Shenzhen in China. Participants A total of 1200 elderly people aged 65 or above were recruited for the study and completed a structured questionnaire between September and October 2019. Main outcome measures Descriptive and binary logistic stepwise regression analyses were conducted to analyse the characteristics of elderly individuals, their willingness to seek medical care for TB and associated factors. Results Among the final 1123 respondents, 943 (84.0%) were willing to seek medical care if they discovered suspicious TB symptoms. Binary logistic stepwise regression analysis indicated that respondents whose family annual income per capita was 50 000-100 000 yen (OR=2.56, 95% CI: 1.44 to 4.54, p<0.01) and who had positive attitudes (>= 3 scores: OR=3.10, 95% CI: 1.90 to 5.05, p<0.01) or practices (>= 4 scores: OR=3.13, 95% CI: 1.82 to 5.39, p<0.01) towards TB were more willing to seek medical care for TB. Conclusions Willingness to seek medical care for TB in the elderly population can be improved according to the determinants.

Automated summary

The study found that 84.0% of elderly individuals were willing to seek medical care if they discovered suspicious TB symptoms. Factors such as family annual income and positive attitudes or practices towards TB were associated with a higher willingness to seek medical care for TB. Strategies to improve elderly individuals' willingness to seek medical care for TB should focus on these determinants.