Prevalence Study on Late Detection Among Drug Resistant and Susceptible Pulmonary Tuberculosis in a Government Hospital in Ormoc City, Leyte: A Basis for Policy Development Plan

This retrospective quantitative study sought to determine the prevalence of late detection among TB patients in a level I government hospital in Ormoc City, Leyte, and used the findings as the basis for a policy development plan. A total of 678 TB patients were enrolled from January 2024 to December 2025, and we included only 48 bacteriologically confirmed TB patients, with 33 males and 15 females, who were purposively selected because of their bacteriologically confirmed status upon initiation of their TB treatment. Data were obtained using a validated survey form and processed and analyzed using Jamovi Version 2.25.6.0. Frequencies and proportions were used to describe the demographic profile and the prevalence of late TB detection. The chi-square test of independence was used to determine whether there was a significant association between the profile and the prevalence of late detection. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. The results showed that the majority of TB patients experienced late detection, with a delay of>30 days from the onset of symptoms to the initiation of treatment. The duration from consultation to the release of sputum examination results also demonstrated a significant association with TB detection. Respondents who waited one to two weeks, and those who waited two weeks to one month, were classified as having late detection. Further studies can be made on knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards TB diagnosis and treatment to reveal the factors that cause late detection of TB. This study highlights late TB detection and emphasizes policy development focused on early case finding, rapid diagnosis, and timely treatment.