Pattern and clinico-epidemiological profile of female patients of RTI/STIs attending an STI clinic in Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

A BSTRACT Context: Reproductive tract infections/sexual tract infections (RTI/STIs) have a huge economic impact in terms of costs of healthcare, loss of productivity and the long-term sequelae. Aims: This study was aimed at documenting the pattern of RTI/STIs and clinico-epidemiological profiles of patients attending an STI clinic. Settings and Design: Seventy-six female patients attending the STI clinic at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, AIIMS Rishikesh between November 2017 and March 2018 were recruited after taking informed verbal consent in this cross-sectional study. Methods and Materials: All patients were evaluated and managed according to the syndromic approach (NACO). Patients were interviewed and data were entered into a semi-structured questionnaire. Statistical Analysis Used: The data were analysed using Microsoft Excel 2016 (Microsoft Corporation, released September 22, 2015). Results: The average age of the patients was 34.46 ± 8.77 years, with a maximum of patients (41%) in the age group 25–35 years. The majority of patients were from an urban background (62%), Hindu (91%), married (95%) and housewives (74%). Most had some level of formal education (97%) and belonged to the lower middle class (43%). The most common diagnosis was lower abdominal pain (LAP) (68%) followed by vaginal/cervical discharge (VD/CD) (30%). Only one patient out of 76 had genital ulcer disease - herpetic (GUD-H). Conclusions: There is a need for focussed community-based interventions targeting the young, urban, lower-middle-class population to reduce the burden of STIs, particularly LAP.

Chlamydia Trachomatis Infection in Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Patients – A Snap Shot

“…Sixty females diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease were included in the study over a period of seven months after obtaining consent and confidentiality of participants were maintained at all times. Sample size was calculated by using the WHO calculator for sample size calculation by keeping Anticipated population proportion of 0.04 and confidence level of 95% (8) Inclusion criteria included all sexually active females between age of 16-49 years presenting with pelvic inflammatory disease. Males were excluded from the study as screening for males is not recommended.…”

“…Therefore the need of hour is to conduct proper screening at Government level in resource limited countries and to create awareness about safe sexual practices among general public and to identify at risk populations to reduce the spread of Chlamydia trachomatis infection and long term consequences associated with it. 7,8 The main objective of our study was to identify and stratify risk factors associated with Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women suffering from pelvic inflammatory disease visiting a tertiary care hospital. 9 In our study we performed polymerase chain reaction on urine specimen due to its noninvasive nature instead of endocervical swab which is routinely done.…”

Unmet Family Planning Need Globally: A Clarion Call for Sharpening Current Research Frame Works

“…In several developing regions such as Uttar Pradesh in India, the prevalence of Reproductive Tract Infections/Sexual Tract Infections among women aged 15–45 has been reported as high as 52.2%. 22 Globally, 4 in 100 women in reproductive age (15 −45) suffer from one of the four STIs, which include trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. 23 The importance of reproductive health concerns in relation to reproductive rights and contraceptive decision-making by women, as well as the role of service agencies in meeting women’s family planning requirements, was initially addressed during the 1994 Beijing Conference.…”