Pre-Diagnosis Health Seeking Behaviors and Experiences Post-Diagnosis, among Men Diagnosed with Tuberculosis in a District of Gauteng Metropolitan City, South Africa: In-Depth Interviews.

Secrecy about the TB diagnosis indicates fear of social exclusion, and this could be due to the highly stigmatized nature of TB. Waiting to see if alternative medication worked, delayed the TB diagnosis, with consequent late initiation of the anti-TB treatment. The life changes experienced post-TB diagnosis affect the quality of life of the participants and their families. The study recommends that these issues be addressed as a priority.