. 2024 May 14;111(1):168–175. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0504

Table 1.

Quotes illustrating themes related to first contact with health facilities (step I in the patient pathway)

Theme	Quote
I-A. Unawareness of active TB symptoms in patients	“I think that the main reason why a person would come to a private establishment with tuberculosis is to learn about their disease. They might confuse the symptoms and think that it is another respiratory problem and not TB, because most people know that TB is managed in public centers.” (Interview 10, private provider who diagnosed TB in the past year)
I-B. Shorter wait times and quicker diagnosis	“If there is suspicion [for TB], we request a sputum BK [smear microscopy] test. This BK test can be done privately or publicly at MINSA. Publicly, it’s free, but the results take a month. . . . The patient arrives at the public sector with a diagnosis, and what does the TB program do? They start the treatment. You skipped the whole month or 2 months that the pulmonologist would have taken to get the X-rays at MINSA, the CT scan, and the BK test. That time was shortened, and you already have the diagnosis and can start treatment. (Interview 18, private provider who diagnosed TB in the past year)

Theme

Quote

I-A. Unawareness of active TB symptoms in patients

“I think that the main reason why a person would come to a private establishment with tuberculosis is to learn about their disease. They might confuse the symptoms and think that it is another respiratory problem and not TB, because most people know that TB is managed in public centers.” (Interview 10, private provider who diagnosed TB in the past year)

I-B. Shorter wait times and quicker diagnosis

“If there is suspicion [for TB], we request a sputum BK [smear microscopy] test. This BK test can be done privately or publicly at MINSA. Publicly, it’s free, but the results take a month. . . . The patient arrives at the public sector with a diagnosis, and what does the TB program do? They start the treatment. You skipped the whole month or 2 months that the pulmonologist would have taken to get the X-rays at MINSA, the CT scan, and the BK test. That time was shortened, and you already have the diagnosis and can start treatment. (Interview 18, private provider who diagnosed TB in the past year)

BK = smear microscopy; CT = computed tomographic; MINSA = Ministry of Health; TB = tuberculosis.