Time Elapsed from Onset of Symptoms to Antituberculosis Treatment in Children with Central Nervous System Tuberculosis in a Tertiary Hospital in South India: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study

Giridharan, PRebecca, PDevaleenal, BChelladurai, EChinnaiyan, PMalaisamy, M.2023-08-192023-08-192022-06Giridharan P, Rebecca P, Devaleenal B, Chelladurai E, Chinnaiyan P, Malaisamy M.. Time Elapsed from Onset of Symptoms to Antituberculosis Treatment in Children with Central Nervous System Tuberculosis in a Tertiary Hospital in South India: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study. Indian Journal of Public Health. 2023 Jun; 67(2): 301-3040019-557X2229-7693http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/223928A pilot study with a mixed-methods design was conducted to estimate the time for tuberculosis (TB) treatment initiation and associated factors among children with central nervous system-TB (CNS-TB). A total of 38 children were enrolled for the quantitative component, and 20 in-depth interviews were conducted. The median duration (interquartile range) from onset of symptoms to treatment initiation was 23 (11, 55) days. About 44% and 31% of the children presented with Stage II and Stage III of CNS-TB, respectively. The major reasons for delay were symptoms not taken seriously (50%) and too many referrals (21%). About 89% of the families went into catastrophic health expenditure due to the disease. The treatment delay may be due to both patient delay and health system delay. Tailoring approaches to target the pediatric population could further improve early detection and treatment initiation of CNS-TB.Central nervous systemhealth care-seeking behaviorpediatricstime-to-treatmenttuberculosisTime Elapsed from Onset of Symptoms to Antituberculosis Treatment in Children with Central Nervous System Tuberculosis in a Tertiary Hospital in South India: A Mixed-Methods Pilot StudyJournal ArticleIndiaScientist B, Department of Epidemiology, ICMR ‑ National Institute for Research in TuberculosisTechnical Officer, Department of Social and Behavioural Research, ICMR ‑ National Institute for Research in TuberculosisScientist D, Department of Clinical Research, ICMR ‑ National Institute for Research in TuberculosisDirector, Institute of Child Health, Madras Medical CollegeScientist E, Department of Statistics, ICMR ‑ National Institute for Research in TuberculosisScientist D, Department of Health Economics, ICMR ‑ National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India