Tuberculosis and gender in Bouaké/Côte d'Ivoire: epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary aspects

Introduction: Tuberculosis remains a public health problem in developing countries. The aim of this study was to compare the epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary aspects of tuberculosis by gender. Methodology: Retrospective study with descriptive and analytical aims, carried out at the pulmonology department and the anti-tuberculosis center of Bouaké during the period from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019. It involved the analysis of 1649 files of tuberculosis patients. Results: The study population consisted of 1018 men (61.7%) and 631 women (38.3%) with a sex ratio of 1.6. Tuberculosis predominated in young males and in out-of-school females (48.3%). Tuberculosis/HIV co-infection was higher in women (31.8% versus 17.8%). Bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis (BPT+) was more common in men (80.8% versus 72.0%), in contrast to clinically diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis (BPT-) and tuberculosis miliaria. Loss to follow-up predominated in men (4.6% versus 2.9%) (p=0.04), while the death rate was higher in women (12.1% versus 8.3%). Conclusion: TB affected men and women who were not in school more. TB/HIV co-infection was higher among females. Bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis was more common in men. Loss to follow-up was more common in the male population, while deaths predominated in women. Keywords: Tuberculosis, Gender, Bouaké/Côte d'Ivoire.