[Characteristics of reproductive health of women in their generative age].

INTRODUCTION: Any research of reproductive health has to encompass the relevant connotations of this complex term. In order to establish relevant multidimensional characteristics, it is necessary to assess intercorrelations of the characteristics most commonly used to describe it. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to describe the characteristics of reproductive health and to establish their significance in describing this term. METHODS: Within the study of health of adult inhabitants of Serbia, on the sample of 2,817 women aged 20-49 years, the data on different reproductive health characteristics were collected by way of a structured questionnaire. By way of factorial analysis (principal components method, Kaisser Varimax criterion), representative characteristics (factors) were selected out of a large number of characteristics, describing reproductive health of women in a multidimensional way, interrelationships of the factors were explained, and carriers--the most important individual characteristics--were selected for further analysis. RESULTS: The characteristics of female reproductive health in Serbia are poor, both from the health policy standpoint and in comparison with other countries. Reproductive health describes 7 relevant factors and their carriers (characteristics which best reflect the variability of characteristics involved in a factor). These involve sexual behaviour (self-assessed HIV infection risk), contraception (use of contraceptive devices on one's own initiative), adequate protection of reproductive health (usage of gynaecological services even when healthy), abortions (pregnancy outcome), HIV control (HIV testing usage), postpartal protection (visits of field nurses after being discharged from maternity ward) and reproductive period (doctor visits after being discharged from maternity ward). CONCLUSION: All the characteristics of reproductive health used in various studies are not equally important in the description of this complex phenomenon. Factorial analysis can explain intercorrelations of the studied characteristics and make possible the selection of those most representative.

[Determinants of the most significant characteristics of reproductive health].

INTRODUCTION: Reproductive health of women is determined by females' demographic and socio-economic characteristics, their behaviour, and the complex of environmental factors. OBJECTIVE: The paper examines the predictive impact of personal and environmental characteristics, health and healthcare characteristics regarding the most important aspects of reproductive health. METHODS: From a sample of 2,718 women, aged 20-49 years, we collected information on various characteristics using a structured questionnaire. Based on factorial analysis (principal components method, Kaisser Varimax criterion) we selected representative variables (factors), describing personal (demographic and socio-economic) characteristics of women, their environment (family, household, community), health (attitudes towards health, life-style, health status), healthcare (independent) and the characteristics of reproductive health (dependent variables). The predictors were analyzed by multiple regression and correlation. RESULTS: Sexual behaviour was determined by socio-economic status, personal tidiness, rest, presence of risk factor(s), health evaluation and attitude toward personal responsibility, trust in physicians etc. The predictors of contraception involved satisfaction with one's own health, serious health problems, health evaluation. The presence and number of abortions were determined by personal psychological maturity, rest, risk factors, life-style, health evaluation and its manifestations, and the continuity and timely healthcare.The predictors of adequate protection of reproductive health involved the cultural level of the community, financial standing of the household, satisfaction with one's own life, tidiness and rest, presence of risk factors, health evaluation, attitude towards personal responsibility, and trust in physicians. HIV control was determined by satisfaction with one's own life, physical activity of women, presence of serious health problems, and the content of primary healthcare. Postpartal protection was determined by the cultural level of the community, reasons for dissatisfaction with one's own life, presence of risk factors and deficiencies, and timely contraception. The predictors of reproductive period duration are availability of health care in a community and personal tidiness of women. CONCLUSION: The study confirmed predictive impact of most of the studied characteristics.