Perspectives In Medical Research (Apr 2020)
A study on prevalence of reproductive tract infections and health seeking behaviour among the women in an urban slum area of Karimnagar
Abstract
Introduction: Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) are recognized as public health problem and rank second after maternal morbidity and mortality because of loss of healthy life among women of reproductive age. National family Health Survey-4 (2015-2016) has reported that 23.5% of the women were suffering from reproductive tract infections. RTIs are considered not just a medical problem but also seen as a symptom of wider social pathology in the community. Objectives: To study the prevalence of reproductive tract infections and its socio-demographic determinants among the women of reproductive age group (15-49 years) in urban slums. To assess the health seeking behavior among the women suffering from reproductive tract infections. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the women of reproductive age group (15-49 yrs) residing in slums of urban field practice area of tertiary care teaching hospital during the period from June 2017 to October 2018. A total of 300 women were selected by simple random sampling technique. A pre designed and pre tested semi-structured questionnaire was used for collecting the data.Thedata was analyzed using SPSS 20.0 Soft ware. Results and Conclusion: The prevalence of RTIs among the women was 22.3%. Vaginal discharge, 57(85%) and pain abdomen 39 (58.2%) were the most common symptoms. The socio demographic factors significantly associated with RTIs were illiteracy and low socio economic status. Women using cloth during menstruation and having dysmenorrhea were found to be associated risk factors for RTIs. Women having > 3 children, 26(29.2%) and using IUCD, 16(50%) as a method of contraception were found to be at risk of RTIs. Health seeking behavior of the women suffering from RTI was found to be poor, 13(19.4%).
