A study of prevalence of sexually transmitted infections & factors affecting it among married women of reproductive age group.

ABSTRACT

Background: Reproductive tract infections (RTI), including sexually transmitted infections (STI), impose a burden of mortality & morbidity through their impact on reproductive & child health, resulting in serious economic, social & psychological consequences. Appropriate treatment of RTI/STI in combination with health education is of major public health importance. Objectives: To study prevalence of STI & factors affecting STIs among married women of reproductive age group in rural area of Parol Primary Health Centre under Thane district. Materials & Method: A community based, cross-sectional study was carried out among 415 married women of reproductive age group selected by stratified simple random sampling from each villages of respective sub centres of Parol PHC for a period of one year. Results: Of the surveyed women (415), prevalence of STI symptomatically was 39% & clinically 32.3%. The most common presenting symptom was vaginal discharge (42%) followed by Burning Micturition (24.7%), Vulval itching (17.3%), Lower abdominal pain (12.3%) & Genital ulcer (3.7%). Out of 415 surveyed women, 49.3% women were diagnosed as having cervicitis & 50.7% women were diagnosed as PID clinically. Almost more than half of the symptom-positive women were of 25-34 years of age. The prevalence of STI decreased with the level of education. Higher prevalence of STI was found in lower socio-economic group, women living in joint families, those having more number of children & women who were using reused cloth during menstruation. Conclusion: In view of the higher prevalence of STI among rural women, primary health care level needs to be strengthened in respect of reproductive health & awareness about reproductive health issues should be raised through suitable communication in order to bring about a positive behaviour change.