Factors associated with the delay of diagnosis of leprosy in north-eastern Colombia: a quantitative analysis.
Trop Med Int Health
; 23(2): 193-198, 2018 02.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29230912
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
To determine the average time in months between the beginning of symptoms and the diagnostic confirmation of leprosy by the health system and to investigate factors associated with diagnostic delay.METHODS:
A total of 249 patients older than 15 years diagnosed with leprosy between 2011 and 2015, in 20 endemic municipalities of north-eastern Colombia, provided informed consent and were interviewed face-to-face. Clinical histories from health centres or hospitals where study participants were treated for leprosy were also reviewed.RESULTS:
The mean delay in diagnosis of leprosy was 33.5 months. About 14.9% of patients showed a visible deformity or damage (disability grade 2, DG2) at the time of diagnosis. In multivariable regression analysis, five or more consultancies required to confirm the diagnosis and not seeking care immediately after noticing first symptoms were associated with longer diagnostic delay.CONCLUSIONS:
Our study found a significant delay in diagnosis of leprosy in north-eastern Colombia, which might explain the continuously high rate of DG2 among new cases being notified in the country. Both patient- and health system-related factors were associated with longer diagnostic delay. Interventions to increase awareness of disease among the general population and timely referral to a specialised health professional are urgently needed in our study setting.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Communicable Disease Control
/
Health Status
/
Delayed Diagnosis
/
Leprosy
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Etiology_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
/
Patient_preference
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Animals
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
America do sul
/
Colombia
Language:
En
Journal:
Trop Med Int Health
Journal subject:
MEDICINA TROPICAL
/
SAUDE PUBLICA
Year:
2018
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Colombia