Hydatid disease in the Hamar of Ethiopia: a public health problem for women

A population-based study of hydatid disease was conducted among the Hamar of Ethiopia. Seven of 990 patients examined with a portable ultrasound scanner proved to have cysts (0.7% prevalence). Cysts were most common (4.7%) among women > or = 40 years of age. Only one male presented with a cyst. These results indicate a sex-specific hydatid public health problem in this tribe.