Willingness to seek medical care for tuberculosis and associated factors among the elderly population in Shenzhen: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open. 2021 Sep 21;11(9):e051291. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051291.

Abstract

Objectives: This study was aimed to assess the willingness of elderly people to seek medical care for tuberculosis (TB) and the associated influencing factors.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Setting: A multistage random survey was conducted in Bao'an District of Shenzhen in China.

Participants: A total of 1200 elderly people aged 65 or above were recruited for the study and completed a structured questionnaire between September and October 2019.

Main outcome measures: Descriptive and binary logistic stepwise regression analyses were conducted to analyse the characteristics of elderly individuals, their willingness to seek medical care for TB and associated factors.

Results: Among the final 1123 respondents, 943 (84.0%) were willing to seek medical care if they discovered suspicious TB symptoms. Binary logistic stepwise regression analysis indicated that respondents whose family annual income per capita was 50 000-100 000¥ (OR=2.56, 95% CI: 1.44 to 4.54, p<0.01) and who had positive attitudes (≥3 scores: OR=3.10, 95% CI: 1.90 to 5.05, p<0.01) or practices (≥4 scores: OR=3.13, 95% CI: 1.82 to 5.39, p<0.01) towards TB were more willing to seek medical care for TB.

Conclusions: Willingness to seek medical care for TB in the elderly population can be improved according to the determinants.

Keywords: infection control; public health; tuberculosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Patient Care
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tuberculosis* / diagnosis
  • Tuberculosis* / epidemiology
  • Tuberculosis* / therapy