Tuberculosis and gender

Gender dynamics are key factors affecting an individual’s risk of becoming infected with and developing tuberculosis (TB), his or her access to health information and health-seeking behaviour, and ultimately the outcome of treatment. In addition, gender shapes people’s coping capacities and the social consequences of TB. Not only does gender influence the risk of contracting and developing TB; at each step towards successful diagnosis and treatment, structures and barriers defined by gender create disadvantages that are specific to women or men in different contexts.