ABSTRACT
Context: Reproductive health, a crucial aspect of general health is of significant importance for human development. Lack of awareness, cultural barriers and economic factors prevent them from seeking timely care. Aims and objectives: 1. To determine prevalence of gynecological morbidities among ever married women. 2. To assess the health seeking behavior for gynecological morbidities and 3. To explore factors associated with health seeking behavior Methods and Material: It was community based cross sectional study conducted during January 2011 to June 2012 at Nanded city in Maharashtra including 750 ever married women. Probability proportionate sampling using 30 stage cluster sampling technique was used. Out of 65 wards in city 30 wards were identified and 25 study subjects from each ward were selected by rotating bottle at centre of the ward and continuing survey in the direction of mouth of the bottle. Statistical analysis: Data analysis was carried out with the help of statistical measures, such as percentages, proportion, chi square test and chi square test for trend. Results: Menstrual irregularity 351 (46.8%) was commonestgynecological morbidity. Treatment seeking behaviour was best among women suffering from infertility. There was statistically significant association between types of gynecological morbidities, no. of gynecological morbidities and treatment seeking behaviour. Most common reason of not taking treatment was feeling no need of treatment. Conclusions: Treatment seeking behaviour differs in different type of gynecological morbidities. Commonly women prefer private health facility for taking treatment. Those women with a greater number of gynecological morbidities took treatment from health centre.