Citation

Accorsi S, Fabiani M, Nattabi B, Ferrarese N, Corrado B, Iriso R, Ayella EO, Pido B, Yoti Z, Corti D, Ogwang M, Declich S. Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 2007; 101(9): 929-938.

Affiliation

National Centre for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Promotion, Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.trstmh.2007.03.019

PMID

17590396

Abstract

To inform our understanding of male and female health care use, we assessed sex differences in hospital admissions by diagnosis and for in-patient mortality using discharge records for 210319 patients admitted to the Lacor Hospital in northern Uganda in the period 1992-2004. These differences were interpreted using a gender framework. The overall number of admissions was similar by sex, yet differences emerged among age groups. In children (0-14 years), malaria was the leading cause of admission, and the distribution of diseases was similar between sexes. Among 15-44 year olds, females had more admissions, overall, and for malaria, cancer and anaemia, in addition to delivery and gynaeco-obstetrical conditions (25.7% of female admissions). Males had more admissions for injuries, liver disease and tuberculosis in the same age group. In older persons (>/=45 years), women had more admissions for cancer, hypertension, malaria and diarrhoea, while, as for the previous age group, males had more admissions for injuries, liver disease and tuberculosis. This study provides insight into sex- and gender-related differences in health. The analysis and documentation of these differences are crucial for improving service delivery and for assessing the achievement of the dual goals of improving health status and reducing health inequalities.

Language: en