Determinants of health-seeking behaviours leading to total delay in tuberculosis treatment among adult patients in Kirinyaga County, Kenya

Background: Total delay in tuberculosis (TB) treatment is a great challenge in public health, where it leads to more cases of morbidity and mortality. The study aimed to identify the determinants of health-seeking behaviors that lead to total delay in TB treatment. Methods: Employed a mixed-method approach where qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Multistage sampling methods to identify the respondents. Results: The findings revealed that the prevalence of total delay in TB treatment was 60.6%. 47% of the patients sought treatment after months of illness. 68% of patients committed to delay in seeking care due to lack of TB knowledge. 58% were diagnosed with TB on their first visit while 42% visited the health facility more than once before diagnosis. The patients experience the three levels of total delay; short delay (27%), moderate delay (28%), and long level (45%). Individual factors such as level of education, employment status, and comorbidities status were found to be associated with a total delay at a p value of 0.0028, 0.012, and <0.00, respectively. Conclusions: The level of TB total delay was long among the patients where there was a delay in seeking care, diagnosis, and treatment. Factors such as level of education, employment status, and comorbidity status were found to be associated with health-seeking behaviors leading to total delay. Recommendations include; implementing TB programs, strengthening and promoting health education, health awareness campaigns, and prompt diagnosis and treatment of TB. Further research is necessary for additional factors and to assess intervention effectiveness.