Health Seeking Behavior among Pulmonary Tuberculosis Suspects in the Community in Indonesia

Abstract

Dina Bisara Lolong42990, Lamria Pangaribuan42991, Kristina L. Tobing42992, Oster S Simarmata42993, Ingan Tarigan42994, Siti Isfandari42995, Ni Ketut Aryastami42996 and Ina Kusrini42997*

Late seeking health facilities among Tuberculosis (TB) suspects patients leads to the low detection rate of tuberculosis cases.

Objectives: To determine the factors that influence health-seeking behavior in tuberculosis suspect patients.

Methods: This national cross-sectional TB survey was carried out from 2013 to 2014. The 156 stratified clusters sampling units were sort into rural/urban and three regions. A sample of eligible 15-year-olds was interviewed for TB symptoms and screened for MTB by microscopy and LJ culture. All positively screened participants were interviewed about TB treatment-seeking behavior. Statistical analysis using logistic regression by Stata.

Results: Approximately 13.3% (1,119 out of 8,388) of TB suspect participants said they could hide a family member's TB. However, TB suspects who hid their family member's TB were 1,2 times more likely to seek treatment (unadjusted OR=1.22 (95 percent CI:1.04- 1.44). Current smokers were 1.81 times less likely to seek treatment (OR=1.81 (95 percent CI:1.55-2.11). Females are more likely than males to have tuberculosis (OR=1.26 (95 percent CI:1.09-1.45).

Conclusion: The proportion of TB patients seeking medical attention remains low. Patients with TB in their family, current smokers and female patients are determining factors of health-seeking behavior.