TY - JOUR T1 - Gender difference in sputum positive pulmonary TB cases JF - European Respiratory Journal JO - Eur Respir J VL - 40 IS - Suppl 56 SP - P2602 AU - Venugopal Kunjupillay AU - P.R. Sreelatha AU - R.S. Nisha Y1 - 2012/09/01 UR - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/40/Suppl_56/P2602.abstract N2 - INTRODUCTIONIncidences of tuberculosis among males are considered about double that of females. There was no geographical difference reported in this rate so far. Alappuzha district is one of backward district of South India. Females are usually of working class of manual labour group. So we are trying to evaluate any difference from usual presentation in gender difference in sputum positive pulmonary TB cases from a backward district of South India.MATERIAL & METHODAll sputum positive cases registered for two years (ie, 2003 & 2004) were included in the study. Sputum positive grade with gender and age strata were analyzed from the TB lab register maintained at District TB Center, Alappuzha. Sputum was examined as per RNTCP policy and EQA activities were implemented at the centre.OBSERVATIONSA total of 260 sputum positive cases registered during the study period. 215 were male and 45 were female. Among the females there were no scanty cases and only 3 cases were 1+. 3+ cases were 33 among females and 156 among males.CONCLUSIONA high incidence of sputum positive cases among males (1:5) may be due to low reporting of working class females. Late reporting is also common among females in backward areas. ER -