Assessment of Health-Seeking Behaviour for Tuberculosis Symptoms Among Adults in Taraba State

Delayed health-seeking for tuberculosis symptoms is a critical driver of ongoing TB transmission and late-stage disease presentation in North East Nigeria, where structural barriers and knowledge gaps compound treatment delay. This study assessed health-seeking behaviour for TB symptoms among adults in Jalingo LGA, Taraba State, North East Nigeria. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 280 adults who reported a cough of two weeks or more in the preceding three months, identified through active household screening in five wards. A structured questionnaire assessed initial health-seeking action, time to first formal health facility contact, prior treatment sought, reasons for delay, TB knowledge, and stigma perceptions. Results showed that first formal health facility contact was delayed beyond two weeks of symptom onset in 61.4 percent of respondents. Self-treatment with over-the-counter medications was the first action for 54.6 percent, and traditional healer consultation was sought by 31.1 percent before formal care. Knowledge of TB as an infectious disease was adequate in only 48.6 percent. Fear of TB diagnosis stigma was reported as a barrier to care by 57.9 percent. Education level (p < 0.001), knowledge of TB transmission (p < 0.001), and prior TB contact (p < 0.01) were significant predictors of appropriate early health-seeking. Recommendations include community TB education integrating stigma reduction, active symptom screening through community health workers, and strengthened TB diagnostic capacity at LGA-level health facilities in Taraba State. Keywords: health-seeking behaviour, tuberculosis symptoms, Taraba State, TB stigma, North East Nigeria