KAP Study on Sexually Transmitted Infections/Reproductive Tract Infections (STIs/RTIs) among married women in rural Haryana

Abstract

Context:About 490 million cases of curable Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI) occur throughout the world, of which 79 million cases occur in India annually. Sexually Transmitted Infections/Reproductive Tract Infections (STI/RTI) confers a huge economic burden on the individual and the health system. Complications of RTI/STI are many, ranging from chronic pain syndrome to infertility. Most of these complications can be prevented by early diagnosis and treatment.Aims:To assess knowledge, attitude and practices on STI/RTIs among married women aged 15-45 years in rural Haryana.Setting and Design:Cross-sectional study, conducted in selected villages under the primary health centre Mandi, Sonepat, Haryana.Subjects and Methods:Systematic sampling was used to cover 10 villages. In each village, every tenth house was sampled, taking first house from the center of the village. Face-to-face interview was conducted using pretested questionnaire.Statistical Analysis Used:Descriptive statistics and results were described in percentages.Results:A total of 344 women were interviewed. About 44% women had never heard of STI/RTI. The prevalence of self-reported symptoms of STI/RTI was very high (60%). Only 40% of them opted for treatment and most common cause for not opting for treatment was that they considered it as a minor problem. Advice for use of condom during the treatment was received by only 20% of patients and only 26.5% of their husbands also received treatment.Conclusions:Overall knowledge, attitude and practices relating to STI/RTI among married women in rural Haryana was poor. The prevalence of self-reported STI/RTI was found to be high and treatment seeking behavior was poor.

Prevalence of reproductive tract infection symptoms and treatment-seeking behavior among women: A community-based study

“…A similar finding has been reported in studies conducted elsewhere in India. [1617] In the present study, when the study participants were asked about the reason for not seek treatment, majority considered it to be a normal phenomenon in women. A similar finding has been reported by in their study in Haryana.…”

“…Similar finding has been reported in a study conducted in Haryana, India wherein 44% women had never heard of RTI. [16]…”

“…A similar finding has been reported by in their study in Haryana. [16] It was also found that very few of those having symptoms of RTI disclosed it to their family members and friends. This may be attributed to communication barrier, wherein a woman finds it difficult to describe her genital symptoms openly to family members and friends.…”

Care-Seeking Behaviors Towards Sexually Transmitted Infections in Saudi Arabia

“…this is consistent with the results of a study done In the Qassim region where most of married women agreed on the importance of seeking healthcare for STIs, nearly half of them sought healthcare when they had any STIs symptoms . (24) We have found in our study that some of the most common obstacles to seeking care for STIs were fear of stigma, fear of partner response, and fear of family response. Fear of partner and family responses are indirectly affected by the social stigma of STIs.…”

Impact of Socioeconomic and Demographic Factors on Reproductive Tract Infections during Reproductive Age Group (18–45 Years)

“…2,3 About 490 million cases of RTI occur throughout the world, of which 79 million cases occur in India annually. 4 Reproductive tract infections/STIs are the major reproductive health problems in India. A variety of organisms are involved in causing RTI.…”