Gender differences in relation to sputum submission and smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Malawi

OBJECTIVE: TO examine gender differences in sputum submission and sputum sm ear 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 fem ales (48%), and significantly more males (53%) were smear-positive compared with females (47%, P < 0.05). Rates of sputum submission per 100000 adults were also significantly higher for males (1203) than females (1032). CONCLUSION: In Malawi, fewer females are submitting sputum samples and are being diagnosed with smear-positive TB compared with males.