The prevalence of persistent coughs in a rural community in the Lango district of Uganda

During a survey of disease due to M. ulcerans in a small rural community in Uganda in 1971 individuals were asked whether they had a cough and how long it had been present. Nine thousand one hundred and seventy-two were questioned. Of these, 4.0% of males and 4.2% of females reported a cough of longer than 1 month's duration. Of 909 aged 50 years or more the proportion was 7.9% being higher in females (9.8%) than in males (6.5%).