Health-seeking behaviour of individuals with a cough of more than 3 weeks

Sex Inequalities can lead to poorer access to health care and delays to dia gnosis of tuberculosis in women. In a population-based survey we assessed h ealth-seeking behaviour in adults with long-term cough. The prevalence of c ough was 1% (213) and 2% (279) in men and women, respectively. Women took m ore health-care actions than men, but chose less qualified providers and re ported lower health expenditure per visit. Delay before seeking hospital tr eatment was longer for women (41 days) than men (19 days; p=0.04), and more men (27; 36%) than women (14; 14%; p=0.0006) reported giving a sputum samp le at hospital. Sex-sensitive strategies for tuberculosis control are neede d and should take into account sex differences in healthcare seeking behavi our as well as a possible sex bias among health-care providers.