Delay in the diagnosis of Turkish servicemen with pulmonary tuberculosis

Objective: This study was designed to assess the time between the first appearance of symptoms and the start of treatment among Turkish servicemen with tuberculosis (TB). Methods: Ninety-seven patients with pulmonary TB were enrolled in the study. We surveyed their complaints and education levels, the opportunity to visit a health care facility, and the time elapsed until diagnosis and treatment. Results: Of the study group, 62 (63.7%) reported that they had visited an infirmary as soon as their complaints appeared. The median total delay in diagnosis was 21 days for all cases. Patient delay decreased among patients with hemoptysis (2.1 vs. 6.4 days, p = 0.013) and increased with night sweats (7.3 vs. 3.1 days, p = 0.042). Total delay was not correlated with any symptom. Conclusion: We suggest that delays in diagnosis and treatment among Turkish soldiers with pulmonary TB arise from some factors related to both patients and health care facilities, and these factors should be taken into account by military health services.