Differences in hospital admissions for males and females in northern Uganda in the period 1992-2004: a consideration of gender and sex differences in health care use.

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 (>or=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.

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection among Makerere University medical students.

BACKGROUND: Medical students in the course of their clinical work are at risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection or transmitting it to their patients. HBV immunization for medical students in Uganda is recommended but not strictly enforced. It is important to assess the prevalence of HBV infection in medical students in order to improve on the interventions to control this infection among them. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to assess the seroprevalence rates of HBsAg and anti-HBc among clinical and preclinical medical students. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study done over three months from November 2000 to January 2001 among Makerere University Medical students. A random sample of medical students was recruited from both the pre-clinical and clinical years. Blood samples from each participant were tested for HBsAg and anti-HBc. RESULTS: The overall prevalence was 11.0% for HBsAg and 65.9% for anti HBc. Nine pre-clinical students (12.2%) were positive for HBsAg compared to 11 (10.2%) clinical students. This difference was not statistically significant. However, clinical students were more likely to have been exposed to HBV with 86 (79.6%) testing positive for anti-HBc compared to 34 (45.9%) among preclinical students (p-value <001). Risk factors associated HBV infection included having a sexual relationship, accidental needlestick injuries, and unprotected exposure to patients' body fluids. CONCLUSION: Medical students need to be offered more sensitization and support regarding prevention of HBV infection including vaccination and the use of universal precautions for infection control.