Women’s Knowledge and Experience of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge Living in Estates in Colombo District, Sri Lanka

et al. 2019

Preprint

Background: Early detection of gnaecological morbidities is an important factor in treating and managing the underline disease. Abnormal vaginal discharge, which is a recurring problem for most of the women at reproductive age is a good predictor for many gynaeclogical morbidities. Many women constantly neglect abnormal vaginal discharge because of the prevailing “culture of silence”. Women who live in urban slum are vulnerable for many unhealthy practices and lifestyles and having a high prevalence of reproductive tract infection especially sexually transmitted infections. Hence, this study was aimed to describe urban slum women’ understanding, attitudes and related practices for abnormal vaginal discharge. Methods: This community based cross sectional study was conducted among 550 women living in urban slum in the Colombo Municipal Council area, Colombo District, Sri Lanka during September- March 2016. A multistage cluster sampling technique was used. A validated, pretested Interviewer Administered Questionnaire was used to collect information from females. Data were analysed using descriptive and relevant inferential statistics (Chi square test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The majority of women (89.5%) was unemployed and were married (92%). The mean age of the women was 32.51 (SD±7.94) years. Mean knowledge score was 29.18 (SD± 8.68). Most of the women (97.1%) had inadequate level of knowledge (<50%). A significant association was observed between the knowledge score levels with the participants’ educational level (p=0.00). Major areas of knowledge deficit include causes for pathological vaginal discharge and reproductive tract infections. Majority (95.9%) agreed that abnormal vaginal discharge should be taken seriously but from the women who accepted (78.2%) that vaginal discharge has ever been a concern to them, only 59% had consulted a general practitioner. There was a significant relationship with having accompanying symptoms such as burning sensation and lower abdominal pain and consulting a general practitioner (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of the study imply the importance of health education to improve the health seeking behaviours. The culture specific health education intervention measures need to be targeted in order to improve their knowledge, attitudes and practices towards vaginal discharge as well as disease prevention and health promotion.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 59%

See 1 more Smart Citation

How do urban slum women manage excessive vaginal discharge? A community based cross sectional study

et al. 2019

Preprint

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“…The focus and the content of the educational intervention were developed according to the findings of the need assessment phase of the study (Ilankoon et al, 2016; Ilankoon et al, 2017; Ilankoon et al, 2018) and the assessment of the existing curriculum of FHCWs. The curriculum was assessed for contents related to VVD, covering STIs, reproductive tract infections, uterine cervical neoplasms, communication skills, and HE.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Most women fail to report symptoms due to the failure of recognizing mild degrees of discharge or malodor as abnormal (Klebanoff et al, 2004). A summary of data from previous studies shows that women living in socially marginalized communities, such as the urban slum communities in Sri Lanka, have a poor level of knowledge and different cultural practices related to abnormal vaginal discharge (Ilankoon, Goonewardena, Fernandopulle, & Perera, 2017; Ilankoon, Goonewardena, Fernandopulle, & Perera, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of an educational intervention on vulvo‐vaginal discharge for family healthcare workers: A nonrandomized controlled trial

Nursing & Health Sciences

et al. 2020

Women's delay in seeking medical advice for abnormal vaginal discharge can cause serious effects such as infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and advanced cervical cancer. Family healthcare workers are in a unique position to help in the promotion of vaginal health. A nonrandomized controlled trial was conducted among a sample of family healthcare workers in the intervention (n = 37) and a control (n = 37) group to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention, which was a 2‐day intensive workshop combining reading materials. Data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 20), and the effectiveness of the intervention was determined using a mixed between‐within subjects analysis of variance. The total knowledge and attitude scores were significantly greater for family healthcare workers in the intervention group immediately and at 3 and 6 months after the educational intervention, compared to the control group. A substantial main effect was observed concerning the time, showing an increase in family healthcare workers' knowledge and attitude scores across the four time periods. A statistically significant difference in the median overall health education competency score across the two groups was also observed. The mean score differences in all sub‐competencies in health education were significantly higher among the intervention group, compared to the control group between second postintervention and the baseline. The educational intervention had revealed successful and sustainable improvements in family healthcare workers' knowledge, attitude on vaginal discharge, and health education competency. This can be implemented as an in‐service program for family healthcare workers to improve health education practices.

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Impact of a family health care workers led educational intervention in improving women’s awareness on Vulvo-vaginal discharge: a non-randomized controlled trial

International Journal of Health Promotion and Education

et al. 2022