Perception And Knowledge Of Vaginal Discharge Among Women In Rural Setting In Aligarh

ABSTRACT

The complaint of abnormal vaginal discharge is very common.An excessive degree of vaginal secretion is not necessarily pathologically infected, but could be hormonal. The aim of this study was to find out the perception and knowledge of vaginal discharge among married females of reproductive age group. Though many studies have been done to estimate the prevalence and the various causes of vaginal discharge, not much data is available regarding what women know about vaginal discharge, their attitudes, health care seeking behaviour and the various correlates regarding the same in rural setting. With this background, we conducted this study in our rural field practice areas in Aligarh. A total of 100 married females (15–45 years age group) were taken, who were presenting with complaint of vaginal discharge.The results showed that 100% of women reported the cause of vaginal discharge to be weakness and heat. 87% of women said the cause was due to backache, 93% of women reported the cause to be melting of bones. The effects of vaginal discharge as reported by majority of women were weakness(100%),backache(100%),pain in lower abdomen(37%), bodyache(81%),pallor(75%),etc. Also few women consulted doctors for treatment.36% of them took no treatment. Primary health care providers can play a major role in health education for women in reproductive age group and educate them on when to seek medical advice. This can be integrated to reproductive health care programmes such as family planning, maternal and child health services which will lead to early detection of vaginal discharge.