Trends in Reproductive Tract Infections and Barriers to Seeking Treatment among Young Women: A Community Based Cross Sectional Study in South India

Rejoice Puthuchira Ravi^1, and Ravishankar Athimulam Kulasekaran²

¹Consultant, IRHD, Kottayam, Kerala, India

²Assistant Professor, Department of Population Studies, Annamalai University, Tamilnadu, India

Cite this paper:
Rejoice Puthuchira Ravi and Ravishankar Athimulam Kulasekaran. Trends in Reproductive Tract Infections and Barriers to Seeking Treatment among Young Women: A Community Based Cross Sectional Study in South India. American Journal of Epidemiology and Infectious Disease. 2013; 1(4):53-58. doi: 10.12691/ajeid-1-4-5

Abstract

Background: Reproductive morbidities lead to wide range of health consequences like ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, miscarriage, infertility and other multiple consequences. The study aim was to find out the prevalence of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and barriers to seeking health care services among young married women in rural areas of Thiruvarur district of Tamilnadu state in India. Methods: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in 28 villages selected using multistage sampling technique for selecting 605 women in the age group of 15-24 years during July 2010-April 2011. Data analysis was by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences version-17, with statistical significance set at p-value of 0.05 and odds ratio were calculated. Results: The prevalence rate of RTIs was observed to be 14.5%. Itching/Irritation over vulva, Thick white discharge and Pain in lower abdomen (not related to mensus) were most commonly experienced symptoms. Bivariate analysis indicated statistically significant association between educational level, occupational level and standard of living index (SLI) with presence of self-reported symptoms of RTIs among the study population. The chance of getting RTIs symptom was less among women living in high SLI (OR=0.168) than among women living in low SLI. The agricultural labourers were 1.145 times more likely to experience RTIs symptom than non workers category (OR= 0.251). More than half of the women were received treatment against perceived RTIs; all were treated in public health institutions. Conclusion: Perception of symptoms as normal, expensive treatment, feeling of shy, lack of female health workers were identified as major barriers for non seeking treatment for RTIs. Improving literacy and increasing awareness level about sexual and reproductive health is needed to reduce the incidence of RTIs among rural population.

Keywords:
literacy barriers to seek treatment reproductive tract infections rural area young women

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