Knowledge regarding reproductive health among women of reproductive age group in three sub-centre areas of a primary health center, Sarjapur, Bengaluru, Karnataka: a cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: Reproductive health plays a significant role in a woman’s life. Women of child bearing age group in developing countries suffer ill health due to lack of knowledge on reproductive health issues. The objective of the present study was to assess the knowledge regarding reproductive health among women and the associated socio-demographic factors.Methods: A total of 345 women of age group 15-44 years were recruited using cluster sampling in 15 clusters from among 28 villages under a Primary Health Center from May to July 2017. Data on sociodemographic details and knowledge of reproductive health under the following domains: menstruation, contraception, reproductive tract infections and marriage and pregnancy were collected using a modified interview schedule.Results: The mean age of the study population was 28.59±9.08 years. Majority of them belonged to age group 15-30 years (60%), attained school level education (55.7%), 45% were gainfully employed, married (65.5%) and from middle class (40.6%). It was found that out of 345 study population; only 19% had adequate knowledge on reproductive health. The proportion of women who had adequate knowledge in each domain was marriage and pregnancy (47.5%), menstruation (29.9%), contraception (17.4%) and least being reproductive tract infections (15%). Knowledge on reproductive health was significantly inadequate among women in the age group 31-44 years, illiterate women, who belongs to lower class and students. Only, socio-economic status and occupation were the significant predictors of knowledge.Conclusions: Knowledge regarding reproductive health was inadequate among women in reproductive age group in rural areas.