Reproductive trac infections in a rural commune

ABSTRACT

This research aims to identify the prevalence of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and to investigate the knowledge of married women with child bearing age about RITs as well as their practices in treatment and prevention of these diseases. The research was conducted in Thuy Dzung commune- Thai Thuy District - Thai Binh province in 1996-1997. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were applied in this research. In cross sectional study, clinical and para clinical examinations and questionnaires were applied in 609 married women aged 15-49. The prevalence of RTIs was 32.8% (95% CI 32.8% +/- 3.7). Among these infections, 28.5% of the cases were due to candida, 44% due to bacteria and 27.5% due to both candida and bacteria. The qualitative study was implemented in 7 months in 70 married and some men, health workers.The result shows that both local people and health workers perceived STDs as separate diseases,meaning that RTIs do not include STDs and hardly related with them. Free drugs and free health services are not enough, it is more important that the health workers are better able to deal with comon RTIs, and to counsel and help local women to prevent these diseases.