055 |
AU |
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Hudelson P |
TI |
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Gender differentials in tuberculosis: the role of socio-economic
and cultural factors |
SO |
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TUBERCLE & LUNG DIS 1996, 77, 391-400 |
DT |
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Per |
AB |
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This paper reviews current knowledge about the
role that socio-economic and cultural factors play in determining
gender differentials in TB and TB control. The studies reviewed
suggest that socio-economic and cultural factors may be important
in two ways: first, they may play a role in determining overall
gender differences in rates of infection and progression to disease,
and second, they may lead to gender differentials in barriers to
detection and successful treatment of TB. Both have implications
for successful TB control programmes. The literature reviewed in
this paper suggests the following:
Gender differentials in social and economic roles
and activities may lead to differential exposure to TB bacilli;
The general health/nutritional status of TB-infected
persons affects their rate of progression to disease. In areas where
women's health is worse than men's (especially in terms of nutrition
and human immunodeficiency virus status), women's risk of disease
may be increased; A number of studies suggest that responses to
illness differ in women and men, and that barriers to early detection
and treatment of TB vary (and are probably greater) for women than
for men. Gender differences also exist in rates of compliance with
treatment. The fear and stigma associated with TB seems to have
a greater impact on women than on men, often placing them in an
economically or socially precarious position. Because the health
and welfare of children is closely linked to that of their mothers,
TB in women can have serious repercussions for families and households.
The review points to the many gaps that exist in
our knowledge and understanding of gender differentials in TB and
TB control, and argues for increased efforts to identify and address
gender differentials in the control of TB.
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KEY WORDS: SOCIO-ECONOMICS, SOCIO-CULTURAL, GENDER
DIFFERENTIALS; UK. |