Background: Women have to be assessed at every stage of her life to lead a healthy lifestyle free from diseases such as reproductive tract infections (RTI) and sexually transmitted infections, which can be easily prevented by good reproductive hygiene practices. There is a paramount need to address these problems at the earliest as they are increasing rapidly. This study was conducted to ascertain the practices of personal, menstrual and sexual hygiene among married women of reproductive age group, to determine the early symptoms of RTI’s in them and to determine association with key demographic variables and symptoms of RTI’s.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among married women of reproductive age group visiting the urban health centre, Dharwad using semistructured questionnaire after taking informed consent from them. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Frequencies and Chi-square tests were applied.Results: All the study participants practiced good personal hygiene practices. 59% of study participants used sanitary pads.78% washed their external genitalia during menstruation. 86% washed their genitalia after sexual intercourse. Backache (31%) was the most common symptom of RTI. Significant association was found between age and boils in the vaginal area (p=<0.01), age and low backache (p=0.013) and age and pain during coitus (p=0.006).Conclusions: In our study most of them were aware of the correct hygienic practices. Backache is the most common symptom of RTI among them. Couples have to be educated on reproductive hygiene to prevent infections.

Background: Lactation is a natural defence against pregnancy. As long as a mother is nursing, she is delaying the return of fertility. This study aimed at evaluating the state of knowledge, among mothers of infants aged 0-6 months, on lactational amenorrhea as a contraceptive method, as well as these women's breastfeeding habits Methods: In this study, a total of n=300 mothers were included. A questionnaire was used to interview one-on-one the mothers of infants aged 0-6 months, who had consented to such an interview. Results: Out of 300 total respondents, only 121(24%) of them had prior knowledge about LAM and 201 of them had prior knowledge about contraceptive methods. About 276(92.0%) were housewives by occupation and 24(8.0%) were working mothers. Primigravidas used contraception in the past and also had prior knowledge about LAM as compared to Multigravidas. Anganwadi workers provided knowledge to 17 of the totals, 40 of them got knowledge from relatives, Medical and paramedical workers educated 49 of them, 3 got it from the internet and 7 of them were self-acquired. Conclusion:This study although small in size localized in a particular geographical area and covering almost similar socioeconomic profile, has a strong message that if proper and sustained counselling is done the dual purpose of exclusive breastfeeding and a method of natural family planning can be achieved.

Background: Lactation is a natural defence against pregnancy. As long as a mother is nursing, she is delaying the return of fertility. This study aimed at evaluating the state of knowledge, among mothers of infants aged 0-6 months, on lactational amenorrhea as a contraceptive method, as well as these women's breastfeeding habits Methods: In this study, a total of n=300 mothers were included. A questionnaire was used to interview one-on-one the mothers of infants aged 0-6 months, who had consented to such an interview. Results: Out of 300 total respondents, only 121(24%) of them had prior knowledge about LAM and 201 of them had prior knowledge about contraceptive methods. About 276(92.0%) were housewives by occupation and 24(8.0%) were working mothers. Primigravidas used contraception in the past and also had prior knowledge about LAM as compared to Multigravidas. Anganwadi workers provided knowledge to 17 of the totals, 40 of them got knowledge from relatives, Medical and paramedical workers educated 49 of them, 3 got it from the internet and 7 of them were self-acquired. Conclusion:This study although small in size localized in a particular geographical area and covering almost similar socioeconomic profile, has a strong message that if proper and sustained counselling is done the dual purpose of exclusive breastfeeding and a method of natural family planning can be achieved.