Visceral leishmaniasis: consequences to women in a Bangladeshi community.
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or kala-azar (KA) affects the rural poor, causing significant morbidity and mortality. We examined the epidemiological and social impact of KA in an affected village in Bangladesh. A population-based survey of the village residents showed a case fatality rate of 14.7% among females and 5.3% among males. Before initiation of the study, female patients were ill longer than males before they received treatment. Future work needs to focus on understanding the implications of KA on women and to develop sustainable strategies for appropriate and timely access to treatment.
Ahluwalia
Indu B
IB
Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. IAhuluwalia@cdc.gov
Bern
Caryn
C
Wagatsuma
Yukiko
Y
Costa
Cristiane
C
Chowdhury
Rajib
R
Ali
Mustakim
M
Amann
Josef
J
Haque
Rashidul
R
Breiman
Robert
R
Maguire
James H
JH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000592:standards
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents