Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on tuberculosis patients' healthcare-seeking behaviors and doctors' diagnosis delays.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Since the onset of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, global healthcare systems have faced unprecedented challenges. To control the spread of COVID-19, China implemented multiple nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). These measures have significantly altered people's healthcare-seeking behaviors. This study aims to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare-seeking behaviors and doctor s' diagnostic delays among pulmonary tuberculosis patients, providing systematic information for future responses to pandemics of other "X diseases".

Methods

We selected Changzhou and Suzhou as research sites in eastern China. Pulmonary tuberculosis patients diagnosed from 2018 to 2022 were recruited as study subjects. Based on the occurrence o

SUBMITTER: Shi X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12495663 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature