Influence of Sex and Sex-Based Disparities on Prevalent Tuberculosis, Vietnam, 2017-2018

Hai Viet Nguyen, Daniella Brals, Edine Tiemersma, Robert Gasior, Nhung Viet Nguyen, Hoa Binh Nguyen, Hung van Nguyen, Ngoc Anh le Thi, Frank Cobelens

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

To assess sex disparities in tuberculosis in Vietnam, we conducted a nested, case-control study based on a 2017 tuberculosis prevalence survey. We defined the case group as all survey participants with laboratory-confirmed tuberculosis and the control group as a randomly selected group of participants with no tuberculosis. We used structural equation modeling to describe pathways from sex to tuberculosis according to an a priori conceptual framework. Our analysis included 1,319 participants, of whom 250 were case-patients. We found that sex was directly associated with tuberculosis prevalence (adjusted odds ratio for men compared with women 3.0 [95% CI 1.7-5.0]) and indirectly associated through other domains. The strong sex difference in tuberculosis prevalence is explained by a complex interplay of factors relating to behavioral and environmental risks, access to healthcare, and clinical manifestations. However, after controlling for all those factors, a direct sex effect remains that might be caused by biological factors.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)967-976
Number of pages10
JournalEmerging infectious diseases
Volume29
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2023

Keywords

  • Vietnam
  • bacteria
  • epidemiology
  • nested case-control study
  • sex-based disparities
  • tuberculosis and other mycobacteria

Cite this