Tehseen Iqbal, Muhammad Abdul Raziq, Zafar Hussain, Naveed Anjum, Salman Atiq.
Gender differences among suspected pulmonary tuberculosis patients undergoing sputum smear microscopy.
Ann Pak Inst Med Sci Jan ;7(1):14-7.

Background: This retrospective study was carried out in the Department of Physiology Nishtar Medical College/Hospital Multan in collaboration with Department of Chest Medicine and Tuberculosis to assess the gender differences among pulmonary tuberculosis suspects undergoing diagnostic sputum smear microscopy. Data from Pulmonology Ward Nishtar Hospital, Multan during January 2005 to October 2007 was summarized and analyzed for this study. Objective: To assess the gender differences among suspected pulmonary tuberculosis patients undergoing diagnostic sputum smear microscopy. Study Design: Retrospective, hospital based study. Materials and Methods: The hospital records of 2468 newly diagnosed patients of pulmonary tuberculosis were analyzed. The patients were classified into various groups according to gender and age. Results: Female to Male ratio of more than one (1.05/1) was found among pulmonary tuberculosis suspects undergoing sputum examination attending the Out Patient Department of Chest Medicine. However, AFB sputum smear positive cases were less among female patients, and female to male ratio was less than one (0.84 / 1.0). The overall AFB sputum smear positive cases were significantly higher in male patients. Conclusion: Gender & age are both traditionally known variables in terms of incidence and prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis. The existing gender disparity and pattern of gender specific treatment seeking is one of such indicators which call for more attention to both males and females, especially because they are in economically productive age group.

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