Contribution of Socioeconomic Factors to Reproductive Tract Infections and Infertility in Rural India

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:This study was designed to find out how socioeconomic, cultural, educational and religious factors play a role in causation of RTI/STD. STUDY DESIGN: This study was conducted at Gynae, OPD of Dist. Hospital Samba, Jammu, J&K. 200 patients coming for infertility checkup and treatment between Feb. 2013 to Jan. 2014 were included in the study. It was an observational cross -sectional study. A pretested, semi-structured questionnaire was administered which included information about demographic, socioeconomic profile, menstrual and sexual practices, obstetrics treatment and family history. Complaints suggestive of RTI/STI were noted. RESULTS: Maximum incidence of RTI/STI was observed in the age group 25 -30 years. RTI/STI was more in illiterate patients (64) as compared to literate patients (53 %). A negative correlation between income and prevalence of RTI was found. Prevalence of RTI was slightly more in patients from joint families (67%) as compared to women from nuclear families (33%). Similarly people living in Kutcha houses showed more prevalence of RTI (66%) as compared to pucca houses (48%). Correlation between RTI and housing was not significant (p > 0.005). Tap water supplied residents showed less prevalence of RTI 50% as compared to hand pump using residents 65%, however, correlation was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The incidence of RTI was 54% in daily bathers and among irregular bathers, the incidence was 66%. The prevalence of RTI was 54%in regular wearers of underwear whereas in irregular wearers the prevalence was 75%. Genital hygiene correlation, the prevalence of RTI in pad users was 42.8% whereas the prevalence in non -pad users was 61%. There was statistically significant correlation between the use of rag during menses and the prevalence of RTI. RTI was more prevalent (64.8%) in women sharing toilets with others while same was 45.6% in women among having separate toilet facilities. CONCLUSION: RTI/STI is increasing worldwide. HIV and RTI/STI share the same mode of transmission and the persons suffering from STI/RTI practice the risk behavior which increases the probability of acquiring HIV. There is great need to develop strategies for awareness generation and management of these diseases.

Factors associated with gynaecological morbidities and treatment-seeking behaviour among adolescent girls residing in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, India

“…Previous studies also noticed a high level of gynaecological morbidities among sexually active [ 34 , 35 ]. This study deviates from previous studies in noticing the positive association between the use of sanitary napkins and a low level of gynaecological morbidities [ 36 , 37 ]. We are not sure about the mechanism of how this association was generated as we could not find any relevant literature; however, it could be presumed that the accumulation of blood in the genital area for a prolonged period may be a risk factor.…”

“…The gynaecological morbidities were higher among adolescents who shared toilets than those adolescents who did not share toilets. A study highlighted higher gynaecological morbidities for those sharing toilets than those who do not share the toilet [ 36 ]. Sharing toilet seats may be a factor associated with high gynaecological morbidities [ 38 ].…”

Study of reproductive hygiene among married women at urban field practice area, Dharwad

“…9 In a study conducted by Rana et al in Jammu and Kashmir, vaginal discharge (22%) and pain abdomen (13%) reported were almost similar to our study where vaginal discharge and abdominal pain were 21% and 15% respectively. 10…”