Objective. Identifying the factors associated with delays in diagnosis of bacilliferous pulmonary tuberculosis is a key component of its control. Methods. An analytical cross-sectional study of 384 microscopy-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients in 2018 was conducted to address this objective. Median patient, system and total diagnostic times were estimated. ORs were calculated in logistic regression to identify factors associated with long patient ( 30 days), system ( 15 days), and total ( 45 days) diagnostic delays. Results. Being diagnosed at the Kossodo center [OR= 7.10, 95%CI (2.42–20.85), p= 0.03], fever [OR= 0.54, 95%CI (50.32–0.91), p= 0.02] and consulting traditional medicine before going to the referral facility [OR= 1.88, 95%CI (1.09–3.24), p = 0.02] were associated with patient diagnostic delay. Being a health worker [OR = 25.43, 95%CI (1.79–359.49), p = 0.02], and self-medication [OR = 2.36, 95% CI (1.16 –5, 22), p = 0.01] were associated with prolonged system diagnostic delay. Consulting traditional medicine [OR = 1.65, 95%CI (1.01–2.70); self-medication [OR= 2.46, 95%CI (1.18 – 5.11); p= 0.01] and negative HIV serology status [OR= 3.30, 95%CI (1.20–9.02), p= 0.01] were associated with the increased total diagnostic time. Conclusion. The factors associated with longer diagnostic times in our study are all modifiable. Awareness of the signs of tuberculosis and the urgency of consulting a health center must be intensified among the population to help reduce these delays.

Pulmonary tuberculosis, diagnostic delay, associated factors