Gender Differences among Clients Attending Tuberculosis Unit of a Teaching Hospital in Southern Nigeria
Journal Title: Scholars Journal of Applied Medical Sciences - Year 2015, Vol 3, Issue 1
Abstract
Globally, the case notification rate (CNR) of tuberculosis (TB) in males has been reported to far exceed the rates for females even though TB is a leading infectious cause of death in women worldwide. The aim of the study was to determine the gender differences occurring in patients presenting in the TB clinic of University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Nigeria in 2012. This study was a retrospective review of records of clients attending the TB clinic of the hospital between January and December 2012. Data collected was analyzed using MS-Excel and Graph pad prism software version 5.1. A total of 265 clients were registered in the clinic in 2012, out of which 146 (55.1%) were males and 119 (44.9%) were females. The CNR for males consistently exceeded those for females in eight out of the 12 months reviewed. Majority of the males, 84.2% and females, 81.5% were above 15 years of age. The HIV co-infection rate was significantly higher among females, 51.2% compared to the males, 37% (p<0.05). All or most of the defaulters recorded in the clinic in 4 out of the first 6 months of 2012 were females, while the males had a higher success rate in 4 of the 6 months assessed. Although the CNR was higher among males, the higher defaulter rate, HIV co-infection and lower treatment success rates recorded among the females was worrisome. Factors contributing to these negative indices among female TB clients in this environment should be explored.
Authors and Affiliations
Johnson Ofonime Effiong, Ibekwe Felicia Nwakaego
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP373293
- DOI -
- Views 88
- Downloads 0
Geriatric Services at a Community Health Centre- A Cross Sectional Study
The increase in the population size of aged above 60 years is great concern in the world since more people are living for long years and increase in the prevalence of the non-communicable diseases in this age group causi...
Morphometric study of the lumbar spinal canal and lumbar stenosis in Sudanese
The lumbar canal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal lumber canal, which was associated with lower back pain and motor defects of lower limbs. The determination of normal antero posterior diameter of the lumbar spina...
Role of CT Scan in Evaluation of Pancreatic Lesions
Abstract: Computed tomography (CT) is highly accurate, non-invasive imaging modality of choice in evaluating the pancreas. To assess the role of spiral CT in evaluation of pancreatic lesions. To compare imaging findings...
Predictors of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Abstract: IUGR is pathologic inhibition of intrauterine fetal growth. Risk factors for IUGR comprise maternal factors, fetal factors, adnexal factors & Placental or umbilical cord factors. For predicting IUGR a combined...
Study of Prevalence of Atypical mycobacteria
Abstract:Specific diseases caused by mycobacteria are leprosy and tuberculosis. The other members are commonly saprophytes which can be opportunistic and deadly pathogens. These other mycobacteria are referred to as atyp...