Table 1 Characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Uzbekistan, 2014 (n = 538)

Gender

Male

124

51.0

174

59.0

Female

119

49.0

121

41.0

M/F ratio

1.04

1.44

Age (years)

≤15-35

120

49.4

106

35.9

> 35

123

50.6

189

64.1

Education

Illiterate

13

5.3

9

3.1

Primary-Secondary

206

84.8

237

80.3

University/higher

24

9.9

49

16.6

Occupation

Employed

50

20.6

80

27.1

Healthcare worker

5

2.1

3

1.0

Unemployed

124

51.0

122

41.4

Student

7

2.9

9

3.1

Housewife

10

4.1

42

14.2

Retired

47

19.3

39

13.2

Labour migrant

27

11.1

27

9.2

Residence

Urban

132

54.3

225

76.3

Suburban

12

5.0

41

13.9

Rural

99

40.7

29

9.8

Smoking

Never

171

70.4

145

49.2

Current

-

-

24

8.1

Ex-smoking

72

29.6

126

42.7

Alcohol use

Never

163

67.1

165

55.9

Past history

69

28.4

84

28.5

Moderate/Excessive

11

4.5

46

15.6

Injection drug use

Yes

1

0.4

20

6.8

No

242

99.6

275

93.2

Comorbidities

Diabetes mellitus

12

4.9

40

13.6

HIV positive

-

-

32

10.8

COPD/emphysema/bronchitis

42

17.3

27

9.1

Symptoms

Cough

226

93.0

253

85.8

Fever

123

50.6

131

44.4

Loss of weight

191

78.6

191

64.7

Sputum smear-for acid-fast bacilli

Positive

117

48.1

166

56.3

Negative

126

51.9

129

43.7

Health facility first consulted

Pharmacy

131

53.9

100

33.9

Private clinic

4

1.6

23

7.8

Primary health center/polyclinic

42

17.3

91

30.8

TB facility

52

21.4

48

16.3

Traditional remedy

2

0.8

2

0.7

Ambulance

7

2.9

9

3.1

Other (AIDS Centre, Public hospital)

5

2.1

22

7.4

Treatment before TB diagnosis

Self-medicated

131

53.9

100

33.9

- Self-medicated with antibiotics

90

69.0

34

34.0

Prescribed antibiotics

55

22.6

114

38.6

Time taken to reach a TB health facility

<1/2 hour

108

44.4

46

15.6

1/2-1 hour

58

23.9

111

37.6

≥ 1 hour

77

31.7

138

46.8