Analysis of factors influencing patient delay in tuberculosis patients in Northeast China: surveillance data from 2015 to 2024

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious challenge to China’s public health, and timely detection and diagnosis of play key roles in preventing disease spread and deterioration. The aim of this study was to understand the delay in consultation for TB patients in Shenyang City, Liaoning Province, and to determine the factors that influence this delay. METHODS: Delay in consultation was analysed retrospectively in Shenyang City, Liaoning Province. Basic information on TB patients from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2024, was extracted from the China Tuberculosis Information Management System (TBIMS). The median and interquartile spacing were used for statistical description, and the chi-square test and binary logistic regression model were used to analyse the influencing factors. RESULTS: A total of 38,928 TB patients were included. The median duration of delay in consultation was 18 (6,36) days, and 22,051 (56.65%) patients experienced a delay in consultation, with an increasing trend in the rate of delay in consultation in Shenyang City from 2015 to 2024 (χ2 = 2235.857, P < 0.001). The study revealed that women (OR = 1.185, 95% CI: 1.130 − 1.243), patients aged ≥ 60 years old (OR = 1.218, 95% CI: 1.018 ~ 1.458), patients from ethnic minorities (OR = 1.409, 95% CI: 1.252 − 1.585), and patients who were positive for pathology (OR = 1.296, 95% CI: 1.194 − 1.407) had a greater risk of delay. Among the population categories, farmers had a greater risk of delayed visits. Intracity mobility (OR = 0.573, 95% CI: 0.540 − 0.608) and patient origin as a Physical examination (OR = 0.468, 95% CI: 0.276 − 0.794) were protective factors for visit delay. CONCLUSION: The rate of delayed visits for TB in Shenyang City from 2015 to 2024 generally increased, and delayed visits were more common. Intervention strategies should be implemented for risk factors and key populations to reduce patients’ suffering and economic losses. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.