Delay in diagnosis among pulmonary tuberculosis patients of Rayagada District, Odisha, India

India accounts for more than one-fifth of the world's tuberculosis (TB) burden. In spite of efforts taken by the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme, tribal areas of the state of Odisha report a high TB incidence over the years. One of the reasons could be delay in reporting to health facilities by the symptomatic patients. During such delays an active case may infect numerous susceptible people thereby contributing to the perpetuation of the infection. The delay in diagnosis may be as long as 2-3months and even more in hard-to-reach areas.