BACKGROUND:Delay in seeking care is a major impediment to effective management of tuberculosis (TB) in China. To elucidate factors that underpin patient and diagnostic delays in TB management, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of factors that are associated with delays in TB care-seeking and diagnosis in the country.METHODS:This review was prepared following standard procedures of the Cochrane Collaboration and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement and checklist. Relevant studies published up to November 2012 were identified from three major international and Chinese literature databases: Medline/PubMed, EMBASE and CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure).RESULTS:We included 29 studies involving 38,947 patients from 17 provinces in China. Qualitative analysis showed that key individual level determinants of delays included socio-demographic and economic factors, mostly poverty, rural residence, lack of health insurance, lower educational attainment, stigma and poor knowledge of TB. Health facility determinants included limited availability of resources to perform prompt diagnosis, lack of qualified health workers and geographical barriers.Quantitative meta-analysis indicated that living in rural areas was a risk factor for patient delays (pooled odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval (CI)): 1.79 (1.62, 1.98)) and diagnostic delays (pooled OR (95% CI): 1.40 (1.23, 1.59)). Female patients had higher risk of patient delay (pooled OR (95% CI): 1.94 (1.13, 3.33)). Low educational attainment (primary school and below) was also a risk factor for patient delay (pooled OR (95% CI): 2.14 (1.03, 4.47)). The practice of seeking care first from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TMC) providers was also identified as a risk factor for diagnostic delay (pooled OR (95% CI): 5.75 (3.03, 10.94)).CONCLUSION:Patient and diagnostic delays in TB care are mediated by individual and health facility factors. Population-based interventions that seek to reduce TB stigma and raise awareness about the benefits of early diagnosis and prompt treatment are needed. Policies that remove patients' financial barriers in access to TB care, and integration of the informal care sector into TB control in urban and rural settings are central factors in TB control.

Base Teórica: Apesar dos avanços alcançados na última década por meio das ações de controle da tuberculose, esta endemia permanece um problema no Brasil. Atraso no diagnóstico e tratamento dos casos de tuberculose é o fator de maior impedimento no controle da tuberculose. Os objetivos desse estudo foram descrever a trajetória dos pacientes com diagnóstico de tuberculose antes do início do tratamento em unidade de referência, analisando a demora do paciente e o número de unidades de saúde visitadas antes do início do tratamento para tuberculose. Método: Estudo transversal realizado em dois serviços de tisiologia. Pacientes com idade ≥18 anos e com diagnóstico de tuberculose pulmonar responderam um questionário que avaliava: trajetória até o diagnóstico, tempo até o diagnóstico e fatores associados com o atraso no diagnóstico. Resultados: A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 40,4 ± 16,1. Foi encontrada uma mediana de 20 dias no atraso dos pacientes. Os fatores associados negativamente com atraso do paciente em um modelo de análise multivariada foram perda de peso e ter procurado tratamento por causa do primeiro sintoma. Também foi encontrado que 44,8% relataram incorretamente o modo de transmissão tuberculose. Além disso, o local de primeiro atendimento para 37,3% dos pacientes foi uma emergência de hospital público. Conclusão: Foi encontrada uma mediana de 20 dias no atraso dos pacientes até o diagnóstico da tuberculose em dois serviços de saúde e em uma região com alta prevalência da doença, os fatores associados a este atraso na análise multivariada foram perda de peso e ter procurado tratamento por causa do primeiro sintoma. / Background: Despite the advances in the last decade through the actions of tuberculosis control, this remains a problem endemic in Brazil. Delays in diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis cases are major impeding factors in the control of tuberculosis. The objectives of this study were to describe the health care seeking behavior of tuberculosis patients, assessing patient delay and the number of health care facilities visited before the start of tuberculosis treatment. Methods: Cross-sectional study in two tuberculosis services. Patients aged ≥18 years old and diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis answered a questionnaire that evaluated: path to diagnosis, time to diagnosis and factors associated with delay in diagnosis. Results: The mean age of all patients was 40.4 ± 16.1 years. We found a median patient delay of 20 days. The factors associated negatively with patient delay in multivariate analysis were weight loss, and have sought treatment because of the first symptom. We also demonstrated that 44.8% of patients incorrectly reported the mode of transmission of tuberculosis. In addition, the local of first attendance was an emergency room of public hospitals in 37.3% of patients. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the median patient delay in tuberculosis diagnosis in two tuberculosis services in a region with a high prevalence of tuberculosis was 20 days, and the factors associated with this delay in multivariate analysis were weight loss, and have sought treatment because of the first symptom.

Oral cancer is the 6th most common cancer in the world, with a poor prognosis and frequent late-stage diagnosis, which significantly impacts survival and quality of life. The key to better control of this disease is early detection, preferably at a precancerous stage. In order to facilitate this early detection and diagnosis, it is critical to identify the factors potentially impacting on the time lag from initial detection to diagnostic biopsy. The overall goal is to develop effective strategies for early identification of oral cancers in order to achieve better control over this disease. There are 2 components in this thesis: the objectives of part I (personal interview) were 1) to develop an interview-style questionnaire, 2) to collect data from patients with high-risk oral lesions (HRL’s) and 3) to characterize the experiences of these individuals that may have impacted the time interval leading up to diagnosis. The objectives of Part II (focus group discussion) were 1) to gather feedback regarding the questionnaire developed in Part I, 2) to obtain recommendations for future planning and delivery of province-wide questionnaire and 3) as a group, to share information on patients’ experiences to diagnosis and patients’ perspectives on their interactions with health professionals (HP’s) throughout this journey. An interview-style questionnaire was developed to collect both qualitative and quantitative data on patients’ experiences. Forty patients with HRL’s diagnosed within 12 months were recruited and interviewed in the Dysplasia Clinic of the BC Oral Cancer Prevention Program. Two focus groups were conducted and feedback from participants regarding the questionnaire and patients’ experiences was recorded. Among 40 patients interviewed, 21 (53%) initially self-identified their lesions (SIG) and 19 (47%) were identified by health professional screening (PSG; 84% by dental professionals). The SIG showed higher rates of invasive SCC at diagnosis as compared to those in the PSG (76% vs. 32%, P = 0.01) and SIG took twice as long to have the initial biopsy performed as the PSG (23 ± 52 vs. 11 ± 28 months). Notably, the main symptom of patients in SIG was pain or presence of non-healing ulcers (18/21; 86%). In contrast, all lesions in PSG were asymptomatic. The mean time from detection to diagnosis was 17.5 ± 42.3 months (range: 0-240 months). Fourteen patients (35%) experienced a time lag of greater than 6 months from first detection of an oral lesion until the first diagnostic biopsy was performed. Both patient and professional factors impact on the time lag. The main contributing factors for this time lag include both patient factors (a lack of concern, fear, and a lack of oral cancer awareness) and the professional factors (lack of knowledge in differentiating high-risk lesions, delay in initiating the referral or ‘watch and wait’, and delay in scheduling of referral appointments to the specialists). Focus group results supported the format and content of the questionnaire, provided input in designing of future province-wide survey and emphasized that patients require continued post-diagnostic and treatment care. A general lack of awareness of oral cancer in general population and in HP’s in addition to a lack of screening activities have been brought forward as critical factors that result in delay to diagnosis. In conclusion, these results suggest HP’s, especially dental professionals, can play a critical role in early identification of HRL’s at an asymptomatic, pre-invasive stage through regular screening. Strategies in raising awareness of oral cancer in both the general population and among HP’s are essential for early identification of oral cancers in order to achieve better control over this disease.

Oral cancer is the 6th most common cancer in the world, with a poor prognosis and frequent late-stage diagnosis, which significantly impacts survival and quality of life. The key to better control of this disease is early detection, preferably at a precancerous stage. In order to facilitate this early detection and diagnosis, it is critical to identify the factors potentially impacting on the time lag from initial detection to diagnostic biopsy. The overall goal is to develop effective strategies for early identification of oral cancers in order to achieve better control over this disease. There are 2 components in this thesis: the objectives of part I (personal interview) were 1) to develop an interview-style questionnaire, 2) to collect data from patients with high-risk oral lesions (HRL’s) and 3) to characterize the experiences of these individuals that may have impacted the time interval leading up to diagnosis. The objectives of Part II (focus group discussion) were 1) to gather feedback regarding the questionnaire developed in Part I, 2) to obtain recommendations for future planning and delivery of province-wide questionnaire and 3) as a group, to share information on patients’ experiences to diagnosis and patients’ perspectives on their interactions with health professionals (HP’s) throughout this journey. An interview-style questionnaire was developed to collect both qualitative and quantitative data on patients’ experiences. Forty patients with HRL’s diagnosed within 12 months were recruited and interviewed in the Dysplasia Clinic of the BC Oral Cancer Prevention Program. Two focus groups were conducted and feedback from participants regarding the questionnaire and patients’ experiences was recorded. Among 40 patients interviewed, 21 (53%) initially self-identified their lesions (SIG) and 19 (47%) were identified by health professional screening (PSG; 84% by dental professionals). The SIG showed higher rates of invasive SCC at diagnosis as compared to those in the PSG (76% vs. 32%, P = 0.01) and SIG took twice as long to have the initial biopsy performed as the PSG (23 ± 52 vs. 11 ± 28 months). Notably, the main symptom of patients in SIG was pain or presence of non-healing ulcers (18/21; 86%). In contrast, all lesions in PSG were asymptomatic. The mean time from detection to diagnosis was 17.5 ± 42.3 months (range: 0-240 months). Fourteen patients (35%) experienced a time lag of greater than 6 months from first detection of an oral lesion until the first diagnostic biopsy was performed. Both patient and professional factors impact on the time lag. The main contributing factors for this time lag include both patient factors (a lack of concern, fear, and a lack of oral cancer awareness) and the professional factors (lack of knowledge in differentiating high-risk lesions, delay in initiating the referral or ‘watch and wait’, and delay in scheduling of referral appointments to the specialists). Focus group results supported the format and content of the questionnaire, provided input in designing of future province-wide survey and emphasized that patients require continued post-diagnostic and treatment care. A general lack of awareness of oral cancer in general population and in HP’s in addition to a lack of screening activities have been brought forward as critical factors that result in delay to diagnosis. In conclusion, these results suggest HP’s, especially dental professionals, can play a critical role in early identification of HRL’s at an asymptomatic, pre-invasive stage through regular screening. Strategies in raising awareness of oral cancer in both the general population and among HP’s are essential for early identification of oral cancers in order to achieve better control over this disease.

Base Teórica: Apesar dos avanços alcançados na última década por meio das ações de controle da tuberculose, esta endemia permanece um problema no Brasil. Atraso no diagnóstico e tratamento dos casos de tuberculose é o fator de maior impedimento no controle da tuberculose. Os objetivos desse estudo foram descrever a trajetória dos pacientes com diagnóstico de tuberculose antes do início do tratamento em unidade de referência, analisando a demora do paciente e o número de unidades de saúde visitadas antes do início do tratamento para tuberculose. Método: Estudo transversal realizado em dois serviços de tisiologia. Pacientes com idade ≥18 anos e com diagnóstico de tuberculose pulmonar responderam um questionário que avaliava: trajetória até o diagnóstico, tempo até o diagnóstico e fatores associados com o atraso no diagnóstico. Resultados: A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 40,4 ± 16,1. Foi encontrada uma mediana de 20 dias no atraso dos pacientes. Os fatores associados negativamente com atraso do paciente em um modelo de análise multivariada foram perda de peso e ter procurado tratamento por causa do primeiro sintoma. Também foi encontrado que 44,8% relataram incorretamente o modo de transmissão tuberculose. Além disso, o local de primeiro atendimento para 37,3% dos pacientes foi uma emergência de hospital público. Conclusão: Foi encontrada uma mediana de 20 dias no atraso dos pacientes até o diagnóstico da tuberculose em dois serviços de saúde e em uma região com alta prevalência da doença, os fatores associados a este atraso na análise multivariada foram perda de peso e ter procurado tratamento por causa do primeiro sintoma. / Background: Despite the advances in the last decade through the actions of tuberculosis control, this remains a problem endemic in Brazil. Delays in diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis cases are major impeding factors in the control of tuberculosis. The objectives of this study were to describe the health care seeking behavior of tuberculosis patients, assessing patient delay and the number of health care facilities visited before the start of tuberculosis treatment. Methods: Cross-sectional study in two tuberculosis services. Patients aged ≥18 years old and diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis answered a questionnaire that evaluated: path to diagnosis, time to diagnosis and factors associated with delay in diagnosis. Results: The mean age of all patients was 40.4 ± 16.1 years. We found a median patient delay of 20 days. The factors associated negatively with patient delay in multivariate analysis were weight loss, and have sought treatment because of the first symptom. We also demonstrated that 44.8% of patients incorrectly reported the mode of transmission of tuberculosis. In addition, the local of first attendance was an emergency room of public hospitals in 37.3% of patients. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the median patient delay in tuberculosis diagnosis in two tuberculosis services in a region with a high prevalence of tuberculosis was 20 days, and the factors associated with this delay in multivariate analysis were weight loss, and have sought treatment because of the first symptom.

Base Teórica: Apesar dos avanços alcançados na última década por meio das ações de controle da tuberculose, esta endemia permanece um problema no Brasil. Atraso no diagnóstico e tratamento dos casos de tuberculose é o fator de maior impedimento no controle da tuberculose. Os objetivos desse estudo foram descrever a trajetória dos pacientes com diagnóstico de tuberculose antes do início do tratamento em unidade de referência, analisando a demora do paciente e o número de unidades de saúde visitadas antes do início do tratamento para tuberculose. Método: Estudo transversal realizado em dois serviços de tisiologia. Pacientes com idade ≥18 anos e com diagnóstico de tuberculose pulmonar responderam um questionário que avaliava: trajetória até o diagnóstico, tempo até o diagnóstico e fatores associados com o atraso no diagnóstico. Resultados: A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 40,4 ± 16,1. Foi encontrada uma mediana de 20 dias no atraso dos pacientes. Os fatores associados negativamente com atraso do paciente em um modelo de análise multivariada foram perda de peso e ter procurado tratamento por causa do primeiro sintoma. Também foi encontrado que 44,8% relataram incorretamente o modo de transmissão tuberculose. Além disso, o local de primeiro atendimento para 37,3% dos pacientes foi uma emergência de hospital público. Conclusão: Foi encontrada uma mediana de 20 dias no atraso dos pacientes até o diagnóstico da tuberculose em dois serviços de saúde e em uma região com alta prevalência da doença, os fatores associados a este atraso na análise multivariada foram perda de peso e ter procurado tratamento por causa do primeiro sintoma. / Background: Despite the advances in the last decade through the actions of tuberculosis control, this remains a problem endemic in Brazil. Delays in diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis cases are major impeding factors in the control of tuberculosis. The objectives of this study were to describe the health care seeking behavior of tuberculosis patients, assessing patient delay and the number of health care facilities visited before the start of tuberculosis treatment. Methods: Cross-sectional study in two tuberculosis services. Patients aged ≥18 years old and diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis answered a questionnaire that evaluated: path to diagnosis, time to diagnosis and factors associated with delay in diagnosis. Results: The mean age of all patients was 40.4 ± 16.1 years. We found a median patient delay of 20 days. The factors associated negatively with patient delay in multivariate analysis were weight loss, and have sought treatment because of the first symptom. We also demonstrated that 44.8% of patients incorrectly reported the mode of transmission of tuberculosis. In addition, the local of first attendance was an emergency room of public hospitals in 37.3% of patients. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the median patient delay in tuberculosis diagnosis in two tuberculosis services in a region with a high prevalence of tuberculosis was 20 days, and the factors associated with this delay in multivariate analysis were weight loss, and have sought treatment because of the first symptom.

Oral cancer is the 6th most common cancer in the world, with a poor prognosis and frequent late-stage diagnosis, which significantly impacts survival and quality of life. The key to better control of this disease is early detection, preferably at a precancerous stage. In order to facilitate this early detection and diagnosis, it is critical to identify the factors potentially impacting on the time lag from initial detection to diagnostic biopsy. The overall goal is to develop effective strategies for early identification of oral cancers in order to achieve better control over this disease. There are 2 components in this thesis: the objectives of part I (personal interview) were 1) to develop an interview-style questionnaire, 2) to collect data from patients with high-risk oral lesions (HRL’s) and 3) to characterize the experiences of these individuals that may have impacted the time interval leading up to diagnosis. The objectives of Part II (focus group discussion) were 1) to gather feedback regarding the questionnaire developed in Part I, 2) to obtain recommendations for future planning and delivery of province-wide questionnaire and 3) as a group, to share information on patients’ experiences to diagnosis and patients’ perspectives on their interactions with health professionals (HP’s) throughout this journey. An interview-style questionnaire was developed to collect both qualitative and quantitative data on patients’ experiences. Forty patients with HRL’s diagnosed within 12 months were recruited and interviewed in the Dysplasia Clinic of the BC Oral Cancer Prevention Program. Two focus groups were conducted and feedback from participants regarding the questionnaire and patients’ experiences was recorded. Among 40 patients interviewed, 21 (53%) initially self-identified their lesions (SIG) and 19 (47%) were identified by health professional screening (PSG; 84% by dental professionals). The SIG showed higher rates of invasive SCC at diagnosis as compared to those in the PSG (76% vs. 32%, P = 0.01) and SIG took twice as long to have the initial biopsy performed as the PSG (23 ± 52 vs. 11 ± 28 months). Notably, the main symptom of patients in SIG was pain or presence of non-healing ulcers (18/21; 86%). In contrast, all lesions in PSG were asymptomatic. The mean time from detection to diagnosis was 17.5 ± 42.3 months (range: 0-240 months). Fourteen patients (35%) experienced a time lag of greater than 6 months from first detection of an oral lesion until the first diagnostic biopsy was performed. Both patient and professional factors impact on the time lag. The main contributing factors for this time lag include both patient factors (a lack of concern, fear, and a lack of oral cancer awareness) and the professional factors (lack of knowledge in differentiating high-risk lesions, delay in initiating the referral or ‘watch and wait’, and delay in scheduling of referral appointments to the specialists). Focus group results supported the format and content of the questionnaire, provided input in designing of future province-wide survey and emphasized that patients require continued post-diagnostic and treatment care. A general lack of awareness of oral cancer in general population and in HP’s in addition to a lack of screening activities have been brought forward as critical factors that result in delay to diagnosis. In conclusion, these results suggest HP’s, especially dental professionals, can play a critical role in early identification of HRL’s at an asymptomatic, pre-invasive stage through regular screening. Strategies in raising awareness of oral cancer in both the general population and among HP’s are essential for early identification of oral cancers in order to achieve better control over this disease. / Dentistry, Faculty of / Graduate

Background: In Myocardial infarction (MI) it is well established that timely diagnosis and treatment may reduce mortality and improve the prognosis. Therefore it is important that patients with MI seek medical care as soon as possible. Patients with diabetes have a higher risk for MI and worse prognosis compared to patients without diabetes. Previous research is inconclusive regarding symptoms and pre-hospital delay times in MI among patients with diabetes and there is lack of research in how patients with diabetes perceive, interpret and respond to MI symptoms.  Aim: The overall aim of this thesis was to explore symptoms and care seeking behaviour during MI in patients with diabetes.  Methods: This thesis comprises four studies. Studies I and II were based on data from the Northern Sweden MONICA myocardial infarction registry to describe symptoms in 4028 patients (I) and pre-hospital delay and factors associated with pre-hospital delay of ≥ 2 h in 4266 patients (II). Study III included 694 patients, at five hospitals in Sweden. The patients answered a questionnaire about symptoms, response to symptoms and delay times in MI. In study IV data were collected through interviews about experiences of getting MI and the decision to seek medical care.  Results: Study I showed that typical MI symptoms according to MONICA criteria were common in both men and women, both with and without diabetes, and no differences between the groups were found. Study II showed that more patients with diabetes had pre-hospital delay times of ≥ 2 h compared to patients without diabetes. In Study III, chest pain was the most common self-reported MI symptom in patients with and without diabetes and there were no differences between the groups. Shoulder pain/discomfort, shortness of breath and tiredness were more common in patients with diabetes whereas cold sweat was less common compared to patients without diabetes. Less than 40 % of patients with diabetes called the emergency medical services (EMS) as their first medical contact (FMC) and about 60 % initially contacted a spouse after symptom onset. Patients with diabetes reported longer patient delay than patients without diabetes, but after age and gender adjustments the results were not significant. Pain, pressure or discomfort in the stomach, anxiety, symptoms that come and go and thoughts that the symptoms would disappear were associated with longer patient delay in patients with diabetes. In study IV, the analysis revealed the core category “Becoming ready to act” and the categories perceiving symptoms, becoming aware of illness, feeling endangered, and acting on illness experience. Patients with diabetes described a variety of different MI symptoms, the onsets of MI varied and it was sometimes difficult to interpret symptoms as related to MI. The decision to seek medical care for MI was complex with several barriers for timely care seeking.  Conclusion: Chest pain was common in patients with diabetes and in contrast to our hypothesis chest pain was equally common in both patients with and without diabetes. There were more similarities than differences in MI symptoms between patients with and without diabetes. However, patients with diabetes were more likely to have pre-hospital delay for 2 hours or more compared to those without diabetes and there seems to be an underutilization of the use of emergency medical services as first medical contact. The process to seek care for MI was complex, initiated by perceiving symptoms, followed by illness awareness, feelings of being endangered and finally acting on the illness experience. / Bakgrund: Vid hjärtinfarkt är det sedan tidigare väl känt att snabb vård och behandling är viktigt för att förbättra prognosen. Det är därför av stor vikt att patienter med hjärtinfarkt söker vård så snart som möjligt efter att symtomen startat. Patienter med diabetes löper större risk att drabbas av hjärtinfarkt och prognosen efter en hjärtinfarkt är sämre än för patienter utan diabetes. Tidigare forskning har varit ofullständig när det gäller symtom och fördröjning att söka sjukvård vid hjärtinfarkt hos patienter med diabetes. Det saknas också forskning om hur patienter med diabetes uppfattar, tolkar och agerar vid symtom på hjärtinfarkt.  Syfte: Det övergripande syftet med föreliggande avhandling var att utforska symtom och hur man agerar vid hjärtinfarkt hos patienter med diabetes.  Metod: Avhandlingen består av fyra delstudier. Studie I och II baseras på data från norra Sveriges MONICA-hjärtinfarktregister för att beskriva symtom hos 4028 patienter samt pre-hospital fördröjning och faktorer som har samband med fördröjning hos 4266 patienter. Studie III inkluderade 694 patienter från 5 sjukhus i Sverige som alla besvarade en enkät om symtom, agerande och fördröjningstider vid hjärtinfarkt. I studie IV samlades data in via intervjuer som handlade om upplevelsen av att drabbas av hjärtinfarkt och beslutet att söka medicinsk vård.  Resultat: Studie I visade att typiska hjärtinfarktsymtom enligt MONICA kriterier var vanliga hos både män och kvinnor, med och utan diabetes och ingen skillnad mellan grupperna kunde påvisas. Studie II visade att en större andel av patienter med diabetes jämfört med patienter utan diabetes hade pre–hospital fördröjning ≥2 timmar. I studie III var bröstsmärta det vanligaste hjärtinfarktsymtomet hos patienter med diabetes och det var ingen skillnad jämfört med patienter utan diabetes. Smärta/obehag i skulderpartiet, andningsbesvär och trötthet var vanligare hos patienter med diabetes medan kallsvett var mindre vanligt i jämförelse med patienter utan diabetes. Mindre än 40 % av patienterna med diabetes kontaktade SOS alarm som första kontakt med sjukvården och ungefär 60 % kontaktade initialt en partner efter symtomdebut. Patienter med diabetes rapporterade längre fördröjningstider jämfört med patienter utan diabetes, men efter justeringar för ålder och kön var skillnaden inte signifikant. Smärta obehag eller tryck i magen, ångest, intermittenta symtom samt att man trodde att symtomen skulle gå över hade samband med längre patientfördröjning hos patienter med diabetes. I studie IV resulterade analysen i kärnkategorin ”Att bli redo att agera” och kategorierna att uppleva symtom, inse att man är sjuk, känna ett hot och agera utifrån upplevelsen. Patienter med diabetes beskrev en mängd olika hjärtinfarktssymtom, debuten av symtom varierade och det var ibland svårt att tolka symtomen som hjärtinfarkt. Beslutet att söka vård vid hjärtinfarkt var komplext och beslutet fördröjdes på grund av flera barriärer.  Slutsats: Sammanfattningsvis var bröstsmärta vid hjärtinfarkt vanligt och i motsats till vår hypotes lika vanligt hos patienter med som utan diabetes. Det fanns fler likheter än skillnader i hjärtinfarktsymtom mellan grupperna, Patienter med diabetes hade dock längre pre-hospital fördröjning jämfört med patienter utan diabetes. Trots betydelsen av snabb medicinsk vård vid hjärtinfarkt underutnyttjades SOS alarm som första medicinska kontakt. Processen att söka vård för hjärtinfarkt var komplex. Den började med upplevelsen av symtom, följt av insikten att man är sjuk, att man känner ett hot och slutligen agerar utifrån upplevelsen av sjukdom.

The overall aim of this thesis was to describe patients’ and spouses’ experiences of suspected acute myocardial infarction in the pre-hospital phase. A descriptive survey study was conducted to identify various factors influencing patient delay in 381 patients with suspected myocardial infarction hospitalised at a Coronary Care Unit (I) and ambulance utilisation among 110 myocardial infarction patients (II). In order to obtain a deeper understanding of the myocardial infarction patients’ own conceptions about the event, an interview study with a phenomenographic approach was conducted with 15 strategically selected myocardial infarction patients (III), within 72 hours after admission to hospital. Finally, the pre-hospital experiences of 15 spouses of myocardial infarction patients were also studied through interviews with a phenomenographic approach, within 48 hours after the affected partner’s admittance to hospital (IV). The results showed that 59% of the patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction delayed > 1 hour after onset of symptoms. The most common reasons given for delay in seeking hospital admittance were: (1) Did not consider the symptoms as to be severe enough that they warranted hospital care, (2) thought the symptoms to be temporary and that they would disappear, (3) the chest pain was more of a dull pain, (4) or, as one third of the patients chose to do, contacted the general practitioner instead of going directly to the hospital (I). Furthermore, as a first action, 59% consulted their spouse for advice about what to do henceforth. The most common reason for additional delay when the decision to go to hospital had already been taken was that the myocardial infarction patients stated that they were unaware of the advantages of a rapid decision-making process. Sixty percent went by ambulance, but it was the spouse (40%) or the personnel at the general practitioner’s office (32%) who called the emergency service number, rather than the patient him/her self (5%). The most frequently given reasons for not choosing ambulance, were that the patients did not perceive their symptoms as being serious enough to require ambulance transportation (43%), followed by that they had not thought about ambulance as an alternative at all (38%). As a third reason for not going by ambulance, the patients stated that it was unnecessary to call an ambulance when being affected by symptoms related to a myocardial infarction (26%). The patients who called an ambulance differed in some respects from those who went by private alternatives; patients with large infarctions (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) went by ambulance more frequently, as did patients suffering from nausea and severe chest pain (II). The patients expressed in the interviews how the interaction with others, described as the need for supportive environment, worries for the family and the utilisation of the health-care resources, was of great importance in the pre-hospital phase. Likewise, symptom awareness, with earlier experiences of a similar situation to compare with, denying the seriousness of the situation and the use of different self-care strategies, were important in order to manage the situation. Vulnerability, expressed as anxiety and a lack of control, also influenced the decision-making process in the pre-hospital phase (III). Spouses seemed to have a strong influence on the course of events when their partner suffered an acute myocardial infarction and it emerged from the interviews how the spouses in many cases were influenced into sharing the denial of the affected partner by respecting his/her independence. The spouses accepted the partner’s need for control; took earlier marital roles and experiences into account; restraining own emotions and seeking agreement with their partners, contributing to delay. However, being resourceful by sharing the experience; having knowledge; understanding the severity; being rational and consulting others when needed, seemed to have a positive influence on the decision time in the pre-hospital phase (IV). Conclusion: The reasons for delaying or not in the pre-hospital phase, as well as the reasons for utilising the ambulance services or not, varied considerably between individuals. Earlier experiences of MI did not influence what actions to take; instead patients’ feelings, emotional attitudes to MI symptoms, inadequate coping strategies, and spouses’ influences were important components in the pre-hospital phase.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) has been rapidly on the ascendency in the recent years globally due to its co-infection with HIV/AIDS. TB case finding is one of the technical pillars of the Directly Observed Treatment Short course (DOTS) TB strategy and there has been advocacy for early TB case detection to be the new focus of TB control efforts. PURPOSE: The purpose of this non-experimental study was to assess the determinants of TB case finding among pulmonary TB patients registered for treatment in Makana Municipality METHOD: A quantitative, non-experimental, cross sectional descriptive study among PTB patients registered for treatment at the primary health care clinics in Makana Municipality was done. Data collection was by self-administered questionnaires while sampling was by systematic sampling of PTB patients at five systematically selected clinics. RESULTS: Patient–related delay contributed more to total delay, in this study sample, than health system-related delay. Health system delay was found to be significantly associated with poorer finances, passive smoking history, seeking care from multiple health providers, initially visiting a non- NTCP health provider, TB stigma , overcrowding in the household and having difficulty with breathing as an initial symptom (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: There was a significant delay in TB case finding among PTB patients in this local municipality and patient related determinants contributed more than health system related determinants to this delay. There is need for the municipal TB programme to embark on an aggressive health education programme to furnish the populace with accurate information about TB, improve their health seeking behaviour and help address the issue of stigma associated with TB. / Health Studies