Background: High levels of gynaecological morbidity, especially reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted infections may turn out to be fatal if not treated properly. The objectives of this study were basic awareness about disease and association with socio-economic findings, awareness regarding disease occurrence and transmission, symptoms, complications of disease; HIV prevention.Methods: Various community based studies carried out in the different regions world showed the prevalence of reproductive tract infections 36-84%. The sample size of study as per statistical calculation (4pq/l2, where p = 50, q = 100-p and l = 10% of p) came out to be 400. Method of sampling - Prior enlisting all villages of Surendranagar district, one village was selected randomly.Results: Basic awareness about disease was 64.0%; 82.2% of women narrated symptoms. 42.00% of women had no idea regarding its complications. Knowledge regarding HIV prevention was 59.50%.Conclusions: Effective strategies for the early diagnosis and treatment should be made

Mehta, Prakash

Thekdi, Komal P. P.

Thekdi, Pukur I.

English

International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology

   http://dx.doi.org/10.5455/2320-1770.ijrcog20140319                                                                                       Volume 3 · Issue 1    Page 98 International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology Thekdi KP et al. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Mar;3(1):98-101 www.ijrcog.org pISSN 2320-1770 | eISSN 2320-1789 Research Article Awareness regarding reproductive tract infections among married women in the rural area of Surendranagar Komal P. Thekdi1*, Prakash Mehta2, Pukur I. Thekdi3               INTRODUCTION High levels of gynaecological morbidity, especially reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted infections may turn out to be fatal if not treated properly.1 Reproductive tract infections generally seen as a silent epidemic can have severe consequences including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, miscarriage, neonatal blindness, increased risk of HIV infection and even death.2 Aims and objectives  To assess the awareness about Reproductive Tract Infections and its association with socio-economic details, to find out the knowledge regarding disease occurrence and transmission, symptoms, complications and HIV prevention. METHODS Sample size Various community based studies carried out in the different regions world showed the prevalence of   reproductive tract infections 36-84%. Based on the prevalence derived from pilot study carried out among married women of reproductive age group in this area, the prevalence was found 50%; the sample size of study as per statistical calculation (4pq/l2, where p = 50, q = 100-p and l = 10% of p) came out to be 400.   1Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, C U Shah Medical College, Surendranagar - 363001, Gujarat, India 2Department of Psychiatry, C U Shah Medical College, Surendranagar - 363001, Gujarat, India 3Department of Surgery, C U Shah Medical College, Surendranagar - 363001, Gujarat, India  Received: 11 December 2013 Accepted: 15 December 2013  *Correspondence: Dr. Komal P. Thekdi, E-mail: drkomalthekdi@gmail.com © 2014 Thekdi KP et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. ABSTRACT Background: High levels of gynaecological morbidity, especially reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted infections may turn out to be fatal if not treated properly. The objectives of this study were basic awareness about disease and association with socio-economic findings, awareness regarding disease occurrence and transmission, symptoms, complications of disease; HIV prevention. Methods: Various community based studies carried out in the different regions world showed the prevalence of reproductive tract infections 36-84%. The sample size of study as per statistical calculation (4pq/l2, where p = 50, q = 100-p and l = 10% of p) came out to be 400. Method of sampling - Prior enlisting all villages of Surendranagar district, one village was selected randomly. Results: Basic awareness about disease was 64.0%; 82.2% of women narrated symptoms. 42.00% of women had no idea regarding its complications. Knowledge regarding HIV prevention was 59.50%. Conclusions: Effective strategies for the early diagnosis and treatment should be made.  Keywords: Awareness, Disease occurrence and transmission, HIV prevention  DOI: 10.5455/2320-1770.ijrcog20140319 Thekdi KP et al. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Mar;3(1):98-101 International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology                                       Volume 3 · Issue 1    Page 99 Method of sampling Prior enlisting all villages of Surendranagar district, one village was selected randomly. After random selection the village found was Khodu. The houses in area were listed and a randomly selected house was taken as the first house to be surveyed.  RESULTS Table 1 shows that basic awareness about disease was 64.0%. There was a significant association between age group and awareness (2= 6.549, D.F. = 2, P value = 0.037), A significant association found with educational status of women and awareness about the disease (2= 6.549, D.F. = 5, P value = 0.0417). A significant association with socio-economic class and awareness was also found (2= 14.45, D.F. = 4, P value = 0.006). Table 1: Awareness regarding reproductive tract infections and its association with the socio-economic details amongst study group (N=400). Socio-economic details Frequency (N=400) (Percentage) Awareness (Frequency)  1. Age group 15-24 yrs 145 (36.3%) 91  2= 6.549  D.F.= 2,  P value = 0.0379 25-34 yrs 186 (46.5%) 138 35-44 yrs 69 (17.2%) 27 Total 400 (100%) 256 (64%) 2. Education of women Illiterate 126 (31.5%) 51 2= 6.549  D.F.= 5 P value = 0.0417 Primary school 135 (33.8%) 94 Secondary school 62 (15.4%) 47 Higher secondary 38 (9.5%) 33 Intermediate/Diploma 9 (2.3%) 6 Graduate and above 30 (7.5%) 25 Total 400 (100%) 256 (64%) 3. Socio-economic class Class I 24 20 2= 14.45 D.F.= 4 P value = 0.006 Class II 46 37 Class III 62 52 Class IV 118 93 Class V 150 62 Total 400 (100%) 256 (64%) Table 2 shows that not only the educational status of women but even I.Q. status is also associated with the awareness about the disease (χ2 = 8.75, d.f. = 1, P value = 0.003, statistically significant). Table 2: IQ score of women in association with awareness of reproductive tract infections (By clinical interview taken by a qualified psychiatrist). IQ score Basic awareness yes (Frequency) Basic awareness  no (Frequency) < 90 117 88  > 90 139 56 Total 256 144 χ2 = 8.75, d.f. = 1, P value = 0.003, statistically significant Table 3 shows that knowledge regarding disease occurrence and transmission among study population was only 35.50%; 8.5% replied about lack of personal hygiene, followed by 6.0% women who told infection was the main reason. 5.3% about sexual intercourse followed by 4.0% of women who gave the reason that multiple sexual partners as the main culprit for the same. Table 3: Knowledge regarding disease occurrence and transmission amongst study group (N=400). Knowledge regarding disease occurrence and transmission Frequency % No idea 258 64.5 Lack of personal  hygiene 34 8.5 Sexual intercourse 21 5.3 Infections 24 6.0 Multiple sexual partners 16 4.0 Multiple responses Lack of personal  hygiene, infections 22 5.5 Lack of personal  hygiene, sexual intercourse 14 3.5 Lack of personal  hygiene, infections, sexual intercourse 8 2.0 Lack of personal  hygiene, infections, sexual intercourse, multiple sexual partners 3 0.8 Table 4 shows that out of 400 women; knowledge about symptoms 17.8% having no idea; 15.8% women gave low backache was the main symptom; 11.5% narrated vaginal discharge, 10.5% of women reported itching in the private part. 5.8% of women reported lower abdominal pain; 5.3% of women gave burning micturition. 3.0% of women reported dyspareunia whereas only 1.0% of women reported genital ulcerations. Table 5 shows that regarding HIV prevention and transmission among study population was 59.50%. 21.5% reported that usage of condoms was the possible way of prevention of HIV followed by 11.75% told treatment of cases and their partners, 8.50% of women narrated monogamous relationships, 8% about usage of sterile Thekdi KP et al. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Mar;3(1):98-101 International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology                                       Volume 3 · Issue 1    Page 100 needle was the way of prevention and transmission of HIV. Table 4: Knowledge regarding complications of reproductive tract infections amongst study group (N=400). Knowledge  regarding complications of reproductive tract infections Frequency % No idea 168 42.00 Cancer 31 7.75 Abortion 23 5.75 Pre-term labor 14 3.50 Premature rupture of membrane 8 2.00 Dysmenorrhoea 43 10.75 Irregularity of menses 22 5.50 Dyspareunia 18 4.50 Infertility 32 8.00 Others 18 4.50 Multiple responses Cancer, abortion 11 2.75 Cancer, abortion,  premature rupture of membrane 08 2.00 Pre-term labour  dysmenorrhoea, dyspareunia, infertility 04 1.00  Table 5: Knowledge regarding HIV prevention among study group (N=400). Knowledge regarding HIV prevention Frequency % No idea 162 40.50 Usage of condoms 86 21.50 Monogamous relationship 34 8.50 Sterile needle usage 32 8.00 Treatment of case and partner 47 11.75 Multiple responses Usage of condoms, monogamous relationship 22 5.50 Usage of condoms, monogamous relationships, treatment of case and partner 13 3.25 Usage of condoms, monogamous relationships, sterile needle, treatment of case and partner 4 1.00 Table 6 shows 75.3% of women reported that treatment was needed for the cure out of them about 24.7% of women reported that treatment should not be taken for reproductive tract infections because of social (60%) and personal reasons (87%).  Table 6: Knowledge regarding treatment necessity for reproductive tract infections amongst married women of study group (N=400). Knowledge regarding  treatment necessity Frequency Percentage Yes 301 75.3 To whom  Doctor 176 44.0  Nurse 38 9.5  Health workers 64 16.0  Chemist 10 2.5  Self 6 1.5  Others 7 1.8  No 99 24.7  Reasons  Social reasons 64 16.0  Personal reasons 35 8.7   Figure 1: Awareness of disease among reproductive age group of women in the rural area of Surendranagar district (N=400).   Figure 2: Knowledge of women regarding treatment accessibility for reproductive tract infections.  020406080100120140160180frequencyThekdi KP et al. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Mar;3(1):98-101 International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology                                       Volume 3 · Issue 1    Page 101 DISCUSSION Basic awareness was 64.0%; similar studies conducted in Nigeria, rural West Bengal and Kenya were 77.2%, 57% and 96% respectively.3-5 In rural Bangladesh was 12%.6 Regarding disease occurrence and transmission 8.5% of women reported lack of personal hygiene could be cause. A study in Lima Peru; sexual contact, lack of personal hygiene and exposure to the contaminated environment were causes.7 A study conducted in Lagos toilet as contracting mode, sexual intercourse and poor hygiene.3 In rural Bangladesh; common causes narrated were sexual intercourse, infections and multiple sexual partners.6 A study conducted in Karachi; melting bone, consuming food with perceived hot composition, poor personal hygiene and procedures like dilatation and curettage and induced abortions were the reasons.8 Regarding symptoms, (15.8%) reported backache followed by vaginal discharge, itching, lower abdominal pain, burning micturition, dyspareunia and genital ulcerations. A study conducted in Lagos, Nigeria in which 57.7% of women reported vaginal discharge followed by vulval itching and lower abdominal pain.3 Majority of women narrated dysmenorrhoea as a complication of disease followed by infertility, dyspareunia, premature rupture of membrane. A study in Lagos, Nigeria; 57.5% of women reported infertility followed by cervical cancer, heavy menses, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, still birth.3 Knowledge regarding HIV prevention; 21.50% of women reported usage of condoms as the way of prevention followed by treatment of case and partner, monogamous relationships and sterile needle usage. 96% of women were aware of HIV in Western Kenya.5  Knowledge regarding treatment necessity, 75.3% of women said that treatment should be taken. 44% of women told that treatment should be taken from doctor followed by health workers, nurse, chemist, self-treatment and others like faith healers, homemade remedies etc (16.0%, 9.5%, 2.5%, 1.8%, 1.5%). A study conducted in Uganda; 60% of women reported that treatment should be taken from faith healers.10  CONCLUSIONS Basic awareness about disease was 64.0%. 82.2% of women narrated one or the other symptom, 42.00% of women had no idea regarding its complications. Knowledge regarding HIV prevention was 59.50%. Knowledge about treatment necessity, 75.3% of women narrated that treatment was necessary. Social stigma and personal reasons were obstacles to seeking medical help. Recommendations In view of the result from this study it can be said that we need to have effective strategies for the early diagnosis and treatment of reproductive tract infections and for their prevention, through information education and behavioral change. It can go a long way in controlling the spread of HIV, AIDS also and in reducing reproductive morbidity. Funding: No funding sources Conflict of interest: None declared Ethical approval: The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee REFERENCES 1. Ramesh Chellan, Gynaecological morbidity and treatment seeking behavior in South India: Evidence from the Reproductive and Child Health survey 1998-1999. Available at: http://www.jhpdc.unc.edu.  2. National reproductive tract infections (RTI) policy guidelines (GHS/HRU/HORIZONS/USAID and WHO) 2003. Available at:  http://www.ilo.org.  3. Kabiru A. Rabiu, Adeniyi A. Adewunmi, Fatimat M. Akinlusi, and Oluwarotimi I. Akinola. Female reproductive tract infections: understandings and care seeking behavior among women of reproductive age in Lagos, Nigeria. BMC Women Health. 2010;10:8-12. 4. Dawn A, Biswas R. Reproductive tract infection: an experience in rural West Bengal. Indian Journal of Public Health. 2005;49(2):102-3. 5. Wools KK, Menya D, Muli F, Heilman D, Jones R. Perception of risk, sexual behavior and STD/HIV prevalence in Western Kenya. East Africa Medicine Journal. 1998;75(12):679-83. 6. Khan MA, Rahman M, Khanam PA, Barkat-e-Khuda, Kane TT, Ashraf A. Awareness of sexually transmitted disease among women and service providers in rural Bangladesh. International Journal of STD/AIDS. 1997;8(11):688-96. 7. Hernandez LS, Winch PJ, Parker K, Gilman RH. Understanding of reproductive tract infections in a peri-urban pueblo joven in Lima Peru. BMC Women’s Health. 2006;6(7). doi:10.1186/1472-6874-6-7. 8. Bhatti LI, Fikree FF. Health seeking behavior of Karachi women with reproductive tract infections. Social Science Medicine. 2002;54:105-17. 9. Sangeetha S. Balamurugan, ND Bendigeri. Community based study of reproductive tract infections among women of reproductive age group in the Urban Health Training Centre Area in Hubli, Karnataka. Indian Journal of Community Medicine. 2012 January-March;37(1):34-8.  10. Muyinda H, Seeley J, Pickering H, Barton T. Social aspects of AIDS-related stigma in rural Uganda. Health Place. 1997;3:143-7.   DOI: 10.5455/2320-1770.ijrcog20140319 Cite this article as: Thekdi KP, Mehta P, Thekdi PI. Awareness regarding reproductive tract infections among married women in the rural area of Surendranagar. Int J Reprod Contracept Obstet Gynecol 2014;3:98-101. 

Awareness regarding reproductive tract infections among married women in the rural area of Surendranagar

https://www.ijrcog.org/index.php/ijrcog/article/download/755/703

Awareness regarding reproductive tract infections among married women in the rural area of Surendranagar

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology