Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among women have led to substantial public health and economic burdens in several low-middle-income countries. However, there is a paucity of scientific knowledge about the relationship between empowerment and symptoms of STIs among married Bangladeshi women. This article aimed to examine the association between women empowerment and symptoms of STIs among currently married Bangladeshi women of reproductive age. We extracted data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS), conducted from June 28, 2014, to November 9, 2014. We utilised cross-tabulation, the conceptual framework and multivariable multilevel mixed-effect logistics regression to explore the association between women's empowerment indicators and women's self-reported symptoms of genital sore and abnormal genital discharge. All of the analysis was adjusted using cluster weight. We found that among 16,858 currently married women, 5.59% and 10.84% experienced genital sores and abnormal genital discharge during the past 12 months, respectively. Women who depended on husbands to make decisions regarding their health care (AOR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.67-0.84), significant household purchases (AOR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.71-0.88), and visiting family or relatives (AOR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.64-0.80) were less likely to report signs of abnormal genital discharge. Women who could make joint healthcare decisions with their husbands were also less likely to report genital sores (AOR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.67-0.90). Genital sores and abnormal genital discharge were prevalent across all parameters of women empowerment among currently married women in Bangladesh. Our estimates show that the husband plays a significant role in decision-making about sexual and reproductive health. Efforts need to be invested in establishing culturally relevant gender policies which facilitate the involvement of women in joint decision-making.
Highlights
Transmitted infections (STIs) pose substantial public health threats and burdens, among women of reproductive age and their children
We found that among 16,858 currently married women, 5.59% and 10.84% experienced genital sores and abnormal genital discharge during the past 12 months, respectively
Women who depended on husbands to make decisions regarding their health care (AOR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.67–0.84), significant household purchases (AOR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.71– 0.88), and visiting family or relatives (AOR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.64–0.80) were less likely to report signs of abnormal genital discharge
Summary
Transmitted infections (STIs) pose substantial public health threats and burdens, among women of reproductive age and their children. STIs such as syphilis, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Trichomonas vaginalis have triggered several symptoms, including genital sores and abnormal genital discharge. These STIs are linked to numerous health complications, including the risk of HIV transmission [2–5]. A systematic review based on studies from 30 low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) indicate that STIs among women are quite common across the different geographical settings even if the range of prevalence varies. Transmitted infections (STIs) among women have led to substantial public health and economic burdens in several low-middle-income countries. This article aimed to examine the association between women empowerment and symptoms of STIs among currently married Bangladeshi women of reproductive age
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