Table 1. Demographic and clinical-demographic characteristics and diagnostic delay of pulmonary TB patients.
| Characteristic | Frequency, n (%) | Diagnostic delay Median (IQR) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sex | |||
| Female | 126(41.7) | 30 (30–60) | |
| Male | 176 (58.3) | 30 (30–60) | 0.555 |
| Age category | |||
| ≤35 | 146 (48.5) | 30 (30–60) | |
| >35 | 155 (51.5) | 30 (30–45) | 0.934 |
| Median age (IQR) | 35 (33–37) | ||
| Residence | |||
| Urban | 154 (51.0) | 30 (30–30) | |
| Rural | 148 (49.0) | 60 (30–60) | 0.041 |
| History of TB treatment | |||
| New | 254 (84.1) | 30 (30–45) | |
| Previously treated | 48 (15.9) | 45(30–60) | 0.177 |
| Presence of cough | |||
| Yes | 290 (96.0) | 30 (7–131) | |
| No | 12 (4.0) | 30 (30–53) | 0.834 |
| Fever | |||
| Yes | 248 (82.1) | 30 (30–60) | 0.854 |
| No | 54 (17.9) | 30 (30–60) | |
| Night sweats | |||
| Yes | 246 (81.7) | 30 (30–60) | |
| No | 55 (18.3) | 30 (30–60) | 0.790 |
| HIV-status | |||
| Positive | 222 (74.5) | 30 (30–60) | |
| Negative | 76 (25.5) | 60 (30–60) | 0.093 |
| ON ART | |||
| Yes | 80 (36.0) | 30 (30–60) | 0.160 |
| No | 142 (64.0) | 30 (30–30) | |
| CD4 cell count | |||
| >200 cells/mm3 | 84 (44.9) | 30 (30–45) | |
| 100–200 cells/mm3 | 35 (18.7) | 30 (30–60) | 0.708 |
| <100 cells/mm3 | 68 (36.4) | 30 (30–41) | 0.729 |
| Taking cotrimoxazole | |||
| Yes | 28 (14.1) | 30 (21–60) | |
| No | 170 (85.9) | 30 (30–30) | 0.825 |
| Smear results | |||
| Negative | 119 (39.7) | 30 (30–30) | 0.086 |
| Positive | 181 (60.3) | 30 (30–60) | |
| XpertMTB/RIF Ct value | |||
| Very low (>28 cycles) | 73 (24.2) | 30 (30–60) | |
| Low (23–28 cycles) | 75 (24.8) | 30 (30–60) | 0.562 |
| Medium (16–22 cycles) | 114 (37.7) | 30 (30–60) | 0.991 |
| High (<16 cycles) | 40 (13.3) | 30 (30–60) | 0.951 |
TB = tuberculosis, IQR = Interquartile range. Ct = cycle threshold