Prevalence and determinants of reproductive tract infections among women.

ABSTRACT

Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) are one of the most common health problems in women during reproductive age. There are gaps in the knowledge regarding the prevalence and determinants of these infections among women. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Primary Health Centre, Palam. Three hundred currently married women from antenatal and gynae clinic were interviewed followed by clinical examination and microbiological investigations. The prevalence of RTIs was 37.0 % based on symptoms and 36.7 % by laboratory investigations, including 26.3% candidiasis, 18.0% vaginitis, 15.7% trichomoniasis and 14.3% bacterial vaginosis. Factors which were found to be significantly associated with reproductive tract infections in women were not cleaning genitals daily, last delivery being domiciliary, history of anal intercourse, last delivery conducted by dai, relative/neighbour, not bathing daily, not bathing daily during menstruation and history of abortions. Strength of association of these factors was further analysed using the odd ratio with 95% confidence interval.