Analysis of factors influencing patient delay by patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in HuYanghe City, Xinjiang Province

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to systematically describe the current status of patient delay among pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients in Huyanghe City, Xinjiang, from 2014 to 2024, and to examine factors associated with patient delay, thereby providing an evidence base for developing targeted interventions to reduce delays in care seeking and strengthen TB prevention and control. MethodsThis observational study was based on the Tuberculosis Patient Management Subsystem of the China CDC information system. We extracted patient delay information for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis registered and reported by TB-designated hospitals in Huyanghe City from 2014 to 2024. Continuous variables were summarized using the median and interquartile range (IQR). Factors associated with patient delay were explored using univariable analyses and multivariable logistic regression models. ResultsBetween 2014 and 2024, TB-designated facilities in Huyanghe City registered 1,021 pulmonary TB patients, and 534 had patient delay (52.00%).Patient delay lasted a median of 24 days (IQR, 9~62).In multivariable models, male sex (OR:0.702, 95% CI:0.537~0.917), age>60 years (OR:0.759, 95%CI:0.584~0.985), and presentation during the COVID-19 period (OR:0.658, 95%CI:0.465~0.932) were linked to reduced odds of delay. Conversely, Han ethnicity. (OR:1.936, 95% CI:1.168~3.207), pathogen positive (OR:1.923, 95% CI:1.079~3.426), comorbidities conditions (OR:1.652, 95% CI:0.987~2.764), and Employed (OR:2.293, 95% CI:1.694~3.103) increased the odds of delay. ConclusionsPatient delay in pulmonary TB remained high in Huyanghe City from 2014 to 2024, yet declined overall. Younger age (<60 years), female, comorbidity, employment, and microbiological positivity may predispose pulmonary TB patients in this setting to delayed care seeking.