Seasonal variation among tuberculosis suspects in four countries
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Date
2009
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Health
Abstract
The objective of the study was to analyze monthly trends across a calendar year in
tuberculosis suspects and sputum smear-positive cases based on nationally representative samples
of tuberculosis laboratory registers from Moldova, Mongolia, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Out of
the 47 140 suspects registered in the tuberculosis laboratory registers, 13.4% (6312) were cases.
The proportion varied from country to country, Moldova having the lowest (9%) and Uganda the
highest (21%). From the monthly proportion of suspects and cases among total suspects and
cases, seasonal variations were most marked in Mongolia which, among the four countries, also
has the most pronounced seasonal variation in ambient temperature. Female suspects were
consistently older than female cases in all four countries. Among males, male suspects were
almost consistently older than male cases, most consistently in Moldova. Seasons seem to affect
attendance to diagnostic laboratory services, evidenced by the contrasting findings of Mongolia
(extreme continental northern climate) compared to Uganda (equatorial climate). A combination
of external and possibly endogenous factors seems to determine whether tuberculosis
suspects and cases present themselves to health care facilities.
Description
Keywords
Tuberculosis, Laboratory, Seasonal variation, Trends
Citation
Mabaera, B., Naranbat, N., Katamba, A., Laticevschi, D., Lauritsen, J. M., & Rieder, H. L. (2009). Seasonal variation among tuberculosis suspects in four countries. International Health, 1(1), 53-60. doi:10.1016/j.inhe.2009.06.006