Reproductive tract infections among women in a peri-urban under privileged area in Bangalore, India: Knowledge, prevalence, and treatment seeking behavior

Abstract

Introduction: Globally, reproductive tract infections (RTIs) are a major cause of acute and chronic illness with severe consequences. Women are at a greater risk than men and are less likely to seek treatment because of the associated stigma. Objectives: To assess the knowledge and estimate the prevalence of RTIs, and treatment seeking behavior regarding RTI. Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was done in a peri-urban underprivileged area, in Bangalore where all ever-married women in the reproductive age group were interviewed using a pre-structured and pre-tested schedule by female medical doctors in the privacy of their homes. Results and Discussion: Of the 179 women who participated in the study, 47.5% were in the age group of 25 to 34 years with the mean age being 29.84 years (±7.92). The mean knowledge score was found to be 3.78 (±2.3) and the maximum score was found to be 10, which indicated poor knowledge regarding RTIs which was similar to other studies done elsewhere. The prevalence of RTI was found to be 26.8%, while the period prevalence of RTI for the last 1 year was 39.1%, and 60% of these women sought some form of treatment. Other studies have reported prevalence ranging from 21.9% to 92% in India. The age-specific prevalence was highest in the 15 to 19 years age group (30%), with most common symptom being white discharge per vagina (43.7%). Conclusions: Knowledge regarding RTI was poor while the prevalence of RTI was high (26.8%) and the treatment-seeking behavior was inadequate.