Gender Dimension in Incidence of Tuberculosis and its Treatment Outcome in a Dots Centre in Ijero Local Government Area, Ekiti-State

Abstract

Literature shows that Nigeria ranked among the high burden countries for TB in the world. This study therefore examined the treatment outcome and incidence of Tuberculosis across age groups and gender using data from DOTS (2008-2010) Centre in Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Nigeria. The study employed the mixed-method approach with data analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS ver. 21). The findings revealed that in 2008, the number of new cases of Tuberculosis was more among females (35%) who were below 18 years of age than those above 18 years (15%). Also, among males and females who were more than 18 years, more females (40%) relapsed treatment than males (20%) In the year 2009 and 2010, it was observed that more females of both age categories were infected with Tuberculosis more than the males. In the year 2009, among males and females below 18years, males (33.3%) experienced treatment relapse while females (50%) above 18 years relapse treatment in 2010. In conclusion, between 2008 and 2010 in Ijero Local Government Area, it was observed that the number of new cases of tuberculosis was high; more females were infected with tuberculosis than males. Also, there is a poor treatment outcome of TB in the years under study. The study, therefore, recommends that the government should make deliberate gender friendly approaches to encourage more girls and children to participate in the routine immunization programme to eradicate the new cases of tuberculosis in Nigeria.