Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the leading causes of death in Angola, where delays in diagnosis of the disease constitute a significant hindrance to preventing its widespread transmission.

Operational research can play an important role in helping to improve the quality and effectiveness of national TB programs, yet no such in-depth studies have been carried out in Angola thus far. The aim of this study was therefore to assess health system delays in the diagnosis of TB in the province of Luanda, and to investigate the factors influencing them.

Raising awareness among communities about TB risk factors and symptoms plays a fundamental role in preventing and treating the disease. It is also important to build on and improve the cooperation and organization of hospitals and public and private health providers, which are often responsible for the lengthy health system delays.