Boys likelier to get treatment in India: study

Boys with chest infections are more likely than girls to receive hospital care in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, both because male children are slightly more susceptible to such illnesses and because families are more likely to ensure the sons receive health care.

Boys with chest infections are more likely than girls to receive hospital care in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, both because male children are slightly more susceptible to such illnesses and because families are more likely to ensure the sons receive health care.

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While this gender disparity was visible across the developing world, it was most pronounced in South Asia. In some areas of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, up to four times as many boys under five receive hospital care for chest infections compared with girls.

Dr Harish Nair, University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Population Health Sciences, who led the Lancet study, said, “This study shows that much more could be done to reduce infection and save lives, such as by improving access to hospitals in the developing world, or by ensuring that both boys and girls receive similar health care.”

Worldwide, 12 million children under five are hospitalised with chest infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis each year.