Prevalence and risks of reproductive tract infections among women of urban slums in North India

Abstract

Objective: To identify the prevalence, determinants of reproductive tract infection, and healthcare seeking behavior among ever married women of reproductive age residing in an urban slum of Faridabad, Haryana, North India. Methods: This community based cross-sectional study was conducted among ever married women aged between 15 and 49 years insured under employees state insurance scheme and residing in an urban slum of Faridabad. Simple random sampling technique was used to interview 149 eligible women using a predesigned structured questionnaire. Study variables included sociodemographic profile, family planning methods, menstrual absorbent usage, and symptoms of reproductive tract infection. Binary logistic regression was used to investigate the determinants of reproductive tract infection. Results: Of the women, 46.3% had at least one reproductive tract infection or sexually transmitted infection symptom and 28.9% among them sought treatment for the symptom. Vaginal discharge, itching (14.1%) and lower abdominal pain (30.2%) were the major symptoms reported. Non-usage of condoms as contraceptive was significantly associated with a higher rate of symptoms (50.4% vs. 20.0%). Abortion had a significantly high odds of having reproductive tract infection symptoms (aOR 3.71, 95% CI 1.59-8.62; P<0.01). Less frequent change in absorbent during menstruation was also reported to have a higher rate of symptoms. The majority of those who took treatment sought it from government or employees state insurance dispensary. 2% also went to faith healers. Conclusions: Nearly half of the study population have reproductive tract infection symptom. Abortions and non-usage of condom increase the risk of reproductive tract infection. Menstrual hygiene and condom usage are the significant interventions, which may reduce the prevalence of these symptoms.

Reproductive healthcare seeking behaviour of women of the reproductive age group in an urban resettlement area of district Gautam Buddh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh, India

“…A similar study from Dehradun, Uttarakhand, reported a higher proportion (63%) of respondents seeking care for RTI/STI symptoms. [ 20 ] However, a study conducted in 2019 in the urban slum of district Faridabad, Haryana,[ 21 ] found only 28.9% of the study population seeking care for RTI/STI symptoms.…”

“…The community-based study of Phrasisombath et al . from Lao, Vientiane,[ 22 ] and other studies[ 17 21 ] conducted in India reported that vaginal discharge was the most common symptom. Though the majority of literature in this domain belongs to hospital-based studies, abnormal vaginal discharge remains the most common symptom reported.…”

“…Though the majority of literature in this domain belongs to hospital-based studies, abnormal vaginal discharge remains the most common symptom reported. [ 21 22 23 24 25 ]…”

“…A study from urban Haryana reported similar findings in women who were educated intermediate and above in comparison to illiterate women. [ 21 ] Alike were the findings from a study conducted in urban Ludhiana. [ 18 ] This may be due to the fact that more educated women were more likely to be aware and alert to report their symptoms as compared to the illiterate ones.…”