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Reasons for the delay in the initiation of treatment and initial default among drug-resistant tuberculosis patients in Ahmedabad corporation area

The emergence of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) has become a significant health problem in India. Delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation are frequently observed among patients with DR-TB, resulting in an increased risk of disease complications and high mortality and pretreatment lost to follow-up rates. To understand the factors associated with delays between the diagnosis and treatment, the study was carried out in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Area. A total of 177 DR-TB patients diagnosed in the year 2014 who had a delay in the initiation of treatment, and 23 initial defaulters were studied using a structured questionnaire. Fifty-four DOTS providers were also interviewed. Of 177 patients, 62.15% initiated treatment between 7 and 15 days and nearly 12% of them started the treatment after a month. The median duration of delay was 12 days (range: 8–144 days and interquartile range: 9–20 days). The most common reason for the delay in the initiation and initial default was the social and personal factors (48.80%), and in 34 (20%) of the patients, the delay was attributed to the effect of the previous treatment.