A study presented by the Tunisian Society of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery STCCCV at the 43rd Congress of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery held recently in Djerba has revealed the existence of inequalities in health and treatment between women and men in Tunisia, said cardiologist and president of the society, Dr Salem Abdessalem.
He pointed out that the preliminary results of the study show that the percentage of female patients with a university education is lower than that of men, and that social security coverage is more limited for women.
This scientific study, carried out over a period of two months, involved a sample of 15,000 Tunisian patients in public health facilities, one third of whom were women and two thirds men.
The study, carried out by volunteer doctors in the cardiovascular departments of Tunisian hospitals from north to south, focused on the main cardiovascular diseases, namely heart failure, arrhythmia, obstructive coronary artery disease, stroke and valvular heart disease.
Dr Abdessalem said the study also revealed that more than 70 percent of women suffering from heart failure discontinue treatment, mainly because of the high cost of drugs, most of which are not reimbursed, and the low level of patient education.
The study also showed positive results in terms of risk factors for women, in particular the low rate of smoking and the low prevalence of diabetes.
The 43rd Congress of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery brought together more than a thousand specialists from several countries around the world and provided an opportunity to learn about the latest advances in cardiology.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse