Female reproductive life - myths and realities

ABSTRACT

To determine the knowledge and practice of myths associated with female reproductive life prevailing in our society. The study was taken in Gynaecology Department of Military Hospital Rawalpindi from 01st May 2008 to 30th May 2008. about 250 female patients attending the Gynae / Obst department of the Military Hospital as out patient were involved. Each patient was asked to fill up a Performa designed to assess knowledge and practice of myths associated with female reproductive life prevailing in our society. The participants ranged from various socio-economic and educational background; however majority of the patients reporting at the Gynae/ Obst department of Military Hospital Rawalpindi belong to lower socio-economic and poor educational background. Age was not selected as a criteria however only adult, married women were interviewed since these constitute the bulk of patients attending to the Gynae / Obst department of the Military Hospital Rawalpindi. A majority believed in myths related to menstruation, pregnancy, epidural analgesia, infertility and menopause. However the knowledge about family planning and C-section was quite up to date and majority did not believe in the myths related to these aspects of female reproductive life. The study shows that although the myths related to family planning and C-section are not affecting the life styles of majority of our population, but still there are areas in the female reproductive life like menstruation, pregnancy, epidermal analgesia infertility and menopause where concepts are not very clear in the general population and there is a need for proper health education of the masses regarding these aspects