Background: Tuberculosis(TB) remains a public health problem worldwide (WHO, 2017a). World Health Organization’s End TB Strategy advocates for early diagnosis of tuberculosis with a target of being able to detect over 90% of all new cases of TB by 2035 for ending TB disease (WHO, 2015). The Uganda’s Ministry of Health has put a lot of emphasis on early diagnosis and early initiation of treatment as well as ensuring that treatment for tuberculosis is available free of charge. Despite the ministry’s efforts, informal review of cases of pulmonary tuberculosis managed at Bundibugyo hospital in 2015 showed that about 2 in 5 cases were diagnosed late with the disease (Bundibugyo Hospital, 2016). Hence this study sought to assess factors affecting early diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis among adult patients who were undergoing treatment at Bundibugyo hospital from July to September 2017. Objectives: The study aimed to assess factors affecting early diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis(PTB) among adult patients who were on treatment at Bundibugyo hospital. Methods: This study adopted a cross sectional analytical study design. The study was carried out at Bundibugyo hospital. Consecutive sampling was used to select 152 patients with PTB who participated in this study. Only primary data were collected using questionnaire. The questionnaires had both open and closed ended questions. The questionnaires were pre-tested and adjusted before data collections. Data analyses were done using SPSS software. Results: Only 3 (2%) of the 152 patients managed at Bundibugyo hospital for pulmonary tuberculosis were diagnosed with the disease early. Most patients (98%) had delayed diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Age of patients (X2= 17.723, P= 0.001) and their marital status (X2= 13.365, P= 0.010) were the only socio-demographic factors associated with diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Visiting a private clinic (X2= 5.101, P= 0.024) before treatment was the only personal factor associated with early diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Conclusions: The proportion of patients who were diagnosed early with pulmonary tuberculosis in Bundibugyo hospital was found to be very low. Age of patients and their marital status were the only socio-demographic factors associated with diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. A patient visiting a private clinic for first consultations was the only personal factor associated with early diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Recommendations: The unit should intensify health education about early diagnosis of tuberculosis in all out-patients points of care within the hospital. The hospital should ensure that all its care providers are actively involved in sensitizing patients under their care about need for early diagnosis and treatment in case of infection with pulmonary tuberculosis. The Ministry of Health should also strengthen the public private partnership for health to improve early diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis since this study has shown that visiting private clinics first is associated with delayed diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

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