Indian Dermatol Online J. 2015 Jan-Feb;6(1):9-12. doi: 10.4103/2229-5178.148919.
KAP Study on Sexually Transmitted Infections/Reproductive Tract Infections (STIs/RTIs) among married women in rural Haryana.
Indian dermatology online journal
Sa Rizwan, Rama S Rath, Gupta Vivek, Nitika, Gupta Anant, Ahamed Farhad, Silan Vijay
Affiliations
Affiliations
- Department of Community Medicine, Velammal Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Velammal Village, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
- All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
- Department of Community Medicine, BPS Government Medical College for Women, Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat, Haryana, India.
PMID: 25657909
PMCID: PMC4314900 DOI: 10.4103/2229-5178.148919
Abstract
CONTEXT: About 490 million cases of curable Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI) occur throughout the world, of which 79 million cases occur in India annually. Sexually Transmitted Infections/Reproductive Tract Infections (STI/RTI) confers a huge economic burden on the individual and the health system. Complications of RTI/STI are many, ranging from chronic pain syndrome to infertility. Most of these complications can be prevented by early diagnosis and treatment.
AIMS: To assess knowledge, attitude and practices on STI/RTIs among married women aged 15-45 years in rural Haryana.
SETTING AND DESIGN: Cross-sectional study, conducted in selected villages under the primary health centre Mandi, Sonepat, Haryana.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Systematic sampling was used to cover 10 villages. In each village, every tenth house was sampled, taking first house from the center of the village. Face-to-face interview was conducted using pretested questionnaire.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive statistics and results were described in percentages.
RESULTS: A total of 344 women were interviewed. About 44% women had never heard of STI/RTI. The prevalence of self-reported symptoms of STI/RTI was very high (60%). Only 40% of them opted for treatment and most common cause for not opting for treatment was that they considered it as a minor problem. Advice for use of condom during the treatment was received by only 20% of patients and only 26.5% of their husbands also received treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: Overall knowledge, attitude and practices relating to STI/RTI among married women in rural Haryana was poor. The prevalence of self-reported STI/RTI was found to be high and treatment seeking behavior was poor.
Keywords: Attitude; knowledge; married women; practices; reproductive tract infections; rural Haryana; sexually transmitted infection
References
- Indian J Public Health. 2011 Jan-Mar;55(1):38-41 - PubMed
- Indian J Community Med. 2012 Jan;37(1):34-8 - PubMed
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