Sex-related differences in smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Prevalence and associated factors

by Norfazilah Ahmad, Mazni Baharom, Azimatun Noor Aizuddin, Rohaya Ramli Smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is more infectious compared to smear-negative PTB and have great significance for epidemiology and infection control. The prevalence of smear-positive PTB rarely affects males and females equally. Hence, we aimed to identify the sex-related differences i n the prevalence of smear-positive PTB and its associated factors in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the National Tuberculosis Information System (TBIS) from 1 January, 2015, to 31 December, 2019. The study population was selected using simple random sam pling from the list of registered PTB patients in TBIS. The criteria for inclusion were all Malaysian adults aged ≥18 years residing in Kuala Lumpur and registered as PTB in TBIS. Factors associated with smear-positive PTB in male and female patients were determined using multiple logistic regress ion analysis. Overall prevalence of smear-positive PTB was 68.6%, and male patients predominated (71%). The male:female prevalence ratio of smear-positive PTB was 2.4:1. Male patients who worked as machine operators and elementary workers (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24–4.02,p = 0.007), were self-employed (aOR 2.58, 95% CI 1.46 –4.56,p = 0.001), lived in a residence categorized as ‘other’ (aOR 2.49, 95% CI 1.28–4.86,p = 0.007) and were smokers (aOR 1.37, 95% CI 1.01 –1.87,p...
Source: PLoS One - Category: Biomedical Science Authors: Source Type: research