Gender Distribution of Chronic Diseases and Healthcare Seeking Behaviour: Evidence from a Cohort of 39,876 Patients Across Nigeria
Agbeyegbe, Eruwhu Beauty *
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Igbinedion University, Okada, Benin City, Nigeria.
Francis, Esther Ozioma
Department of Computer Science, National Open University of Nigeria, Nigeria.
Ibeodo, Jane Chidiebere
The Faculty of Pharmacy, Madonna Univeristy, Elele, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Understanding the demographic composition of patient populations is foundational for tailoring healthcare delivery and resource allocation. This study examines the gender distribution of a large cohort of patients to inform gender-specific health interventions. Data were analyzed from a retrospective cohort of 39,876 patients recorded as of February 01, 2025, across Nigeria. Patients with complete records for gender and basic demographics were included; those with missing gender data or primary diagnoses were excluded. Gender distribution was assessed by categorizing patients into male and female groups. Descriptive statistics and chi-square (χ²) tests were employed to evaluate gender representation and differences in chronic condition prevalence. Of the total 39,876 patients, 19,999 (50.15%) were male and 19,877 (49.85%) were female, yielding a near-equal gender distribution (male-to-female ratio 1.006:1; χ² = 0.37, p = 0.54). Chronic conditions showed minimal gender disparities: arthritis (male: 8.4%, female: 8.5%, χ² = 0.12, p = 0.73), diabetes (male: 8.4%, female: 8.4%, χ² = 0.00, p = 0.99), and hypertension (male: 8.3%, female: 8.3%, χ² = 0.03, p = 0.86). These findings suggest equitable representation rather than systematic gender bias within this cohort. The near-equivalent gender distribution observed may reflect improving healthcare accessibility across genders in Nigeria. Furthermore, the balanced prevalence of chronic conditions suggests limited gender-based disparities in disease burden within the studied population. Such findings provide critical insights for designing gender-responsive health policies and interventions that address the specific needs of diverse populations.
Keywords: Gender distribution, patient demographics, healthcare equity, chronic conditions