Patient and health care system delays in the start of tuberculosis treatment in Norway.

Background: Delay in start of tuberculosis (TB) treatment has an impact at both the individual level, by increasing the risk of morbidity and mortality, and at the community level, by increasing the risk of transmission. The aims of this study were to assess the delays in the start of treatment for TB patients in Oslo/Akershus region, Norway and to analyze risk factors for the delays.

Methods: This study was based on information from the National TB Registry, clinical case notes from hospitals and referral case notes from primary health care providers.