Reasons to start treatment among smear-negative culture confirmed PTB cases in the prospective study and in the retrospective analysis of program data.

a. In one patient, the reason could not be discerned (TLA result available the day of the third consultation).b. 4 had died by the time they were traced, 2 did not come to the clinic to start treatment, 1 refused treatment, 3 were not found during the tracing and for 7 there was no information about the tracing.