OBJECTIVE:

to evaluate patient and health service characteristics associated with tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis delay.

METHODS:

this was a cross-sectional study conducted in São José do Rio Preto-SP in 2009; the 'entry point' and 'access to diagnosis' dimensions of the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCAT) were selected to analyze patient and HS delay.

RESULTS:

99 TB patients were included in the study; the median time related to patient and HS delay was 15 days; delay in seeking services was lower among smokers (PR= 0.71; 95%CI 0.54;0.94) and alcohol users (PR=0.75; 95%CI 0.57;0.99); TB diagnosis delay was related to not being able to get a medical appointment on the same day (PR=1.63; 95%CI 1.22;2.18), TB not being suspected (PR=2.07; 95%CI 1.18;3.62) and seeking care in health services four times or more (PR=2.34; 95%CI 1.55;3.53).

CONCLUSION:

delay in seeking care was lower among smokers and alcohol users; shortcomings in access to diagnosis characterized health services delay.

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