Gender differences in relation to sputum submission and smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Malawi.
OBJECTIVE
To examine gender differences in sputum submission and sputum smear positivity.


METHODS
Laboratory registers in all diagnostic units in eight districts in Malawi were examined for the years 1995 and 1996.


RESULTS
During a 12-month period (averaged between 1995 and 1996), 26,624 new TB suspects submitted sputum samples, 3282 of which (12.3%) were smear-positive. Significantly more males submitted sputum (52%) compared with females (48%), and significantly more males (53%) were smear-positive compared with females (47%, P < 0.05). Rates of sputum submission per 100,000 adults were also significantly higher for males (1203) than females (1032).


CONCLUSIONS
In Malawi, fewer females are submitting sputum samples and are being diagnosed with smear-positive TB compared with males.
Boeree
M J
MJ
National Tuberculosis Control Programme, Community Health, Science Unit, Lilongwe, Malawi.
Harries
A D
AD
Godschalk
P
P
Demast
Q
Q
Upindi
B
B
Mwale
A
A
Nyirenda
T E
TE
Banerjee
A
A
Salaniponi
F M
FM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D018563:Disease Notification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008295:Malawi / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008571:Men / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012042:Registries; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D013183:Sputum / Q000382:microbiology; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000523:psychology*; D014930:Women / Q000523:psychology*