Wife abuse appears to be fairly common in northern India. Our findings that abusive men were more likely to engage in extramarital sex and have STD symptoms suggest that these men may be acquiring STDs from their extramarital relationships, thereby placing their wives at risk for STD acquisition, sometimes via sexual abuse. These abusive sexual behaviors also may result in an elevated rate of unplanned pregnancies.

This study examined the prevalence and characteristics of wife abuse as reported by nearly 6,700 married men living in five districts of northern India during 1995-1996. In addition, associations between wife abuse and sociodemographic factors were investigated to enable two theoretical/conceptual perspectives regarding abuse to be evaluated: that abuse is more common among families under stress and among more "private" families. The district-specific percentages of men who reported physically abusing their wives ranged from 18% to 45%, with 18-40% of the men in each district having had nonconsensual sex with their wives and 4-9% having physically forced their wives to have sex. The authors used logistic regression analyses to control for a variety of sociodemographic variables and found positive associations between wife abuse and stress-related factors, including the husband having a low educational level, the couple living in poverty, the husband being young when he first lived with his wife, and the couple having multiple children. Contrariwise, there was no strong empirical support for the idea that wife abuse may be more common in more "private" families.

This study examines the prevalence of self-reported reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and treatment seeking among married, recently pregnant women in Uttar Pradesh state, India. Associations between RTI symptom reporting and background characteristics are examined in a population-based sample of 18,506 married women with a pregnancy in the 3 years prior to a 1995 statewide survey. Logistic regression analyses are used to assess the effects of sociodemographic covariates on the probability of reporting an RTI symptom. Nearly one out of four women reports experiencing at least one RTI symptom, with the most common symptoms being abnormal vaginal discharge and pain during urination. Reporting of RTI symptoms significantly increases if the woman's last pregnancy did not end in a live birth or if she has low economic status. Symptom reports also increase with age and decrease with parity. Only one-third of women reporting an RTI symptom sought treatment. The results indicate that survey interviews can be a cost-effective option for measuring the magnitude of RTI symptoms experienced and identifying sociodemographic influences. The findings suggest the need for improved RTI screening procedures and treatment at health facilities in this populous state of northern India.

Background Little is known about the role of private sector providers in providing and financing immunization. To fill this gap, the authors conducted a study in Benin, Malawi, and Georgia to estimate (1) the proportion of vaccinations taking place through the private sector; (2) private expenditures for vaccination; and (3) the extent of regulation. Methods In each country, the authors surveyed a stratified random sample of 50 private providers (private for-profit and not-for-profit) using a standardized, pre-tested questionnaire administered by trained enumerators. In addition, the authors conducted 300 or more client exit interviews in each country. Results The three countries had different models of private service provision of vaccination. In Malawi, 44% of private facilities, predominantly faith-based organizations, administered an estimated 27% of all vaccinations. In Benin, 18% of private for-profit and not-for-profit facilities provided vaccinations, accounting for 8% of total vaccinations. In Georgia, all sample facilities were privately managed, and conducted 100% of private vaccinations. In all three countries, the Ministries of Health (MoHs) supplied vaccines and other support to private facilities. The study found that 6–76% of clients paid nominal fees for vaccination cards and services, and a small percentage (2–26%) chose to pay higher fees for vaccines not within their countries’ national schedules. The percentage of private expenditure on vaccination was less than 1% of national health expenditures. The case studies revealed that service quality at private facilities was mixed, a finding that is similar to those of other studies on private sector vaccination. The three countries varied in how well the MoHs managed and supervised private sector services. Discussion/Conclusion The private sector plays a growing role in lower-income countries and is expanding access to services. Governments’ ability to regulate and monitor immunization services and promote quality and affordable services in the private sector should be a priority.