OBJECTIVETo describe factors causing the delay of diagnosis among non-resident tuberculosis (TB) patients and to study its implications from demographic, socio-economic aspects in order to provide information to policy makers for TB control programs in Shanghai.

METHODSA historical cohort study through questionnaire interview was conducted in 146 newly diagnosed TB patients. The questionnaire covered the general information of subjects and information on patients' health care seeking experiences from the first symptom to the TB diagnosis in health facilities. Index adopted to reflect the access to TB diagnosis would include the days due to delayed diagnosis consisting the days from both patient's and doctor's responsibilities.

RESULTSThe median days due to patients' delay was 19 (7-33.5) days, which was 3.8 times longer than 5 (2.5-10) days caused by doctor's. The median of total diagnostic delay was 31 (11-59) days. Female TB patients, patients with lower than annual 5000 Yuan income had an increased risk of a longer diagnostic delay with an OR of 3.226 and 11.958 relatively. Smear positive patients had a shorter delay (OR = 0.280, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDelayed diagnosis was mostly caused by the patients, suggesting that TB control strategy for non-residents should aim at improving the access to TB diagnosis among patients with lower income and female non-residents.