title: Gender differences in health care utilization and outcome of respiratory tuberculosis in Alexandria.
abstract: A study of gender differences in health care utilization and outcome of respiratory tuberculosis was carried out in Alexandria, Egypt. A cohort of 334 patients was followed-up for 8 months; 69.2% of cases were males. The pattern of tuberculosis symptoms was similar for both sexes. Women started treatment earlier than men. Women had significantly lower scores in knowledge, beliefs and attitudes about tuberculosis than men. Compliance was unsatisfactory for both sexes. Men tended to be more adherent to drugs and to sputum and X-ray examinations but there were no sex differences in compliance with health education and medical examinations. No significant sex differences in treatment outcome were found: the overall cure rate was 60.5% and treatment failure was 4.8%. Multiple regression analysis showed satisfaction with medical care was the only significant predictor of treatment failure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Kamel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rashed
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Foda
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mohie
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loutfy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004522:Educational Status; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008571:Men / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014930:Women / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology