A study among women attending Suraksha clinic in a tertiary care hospital: their socio-demographic profile, myths and misconceptions related to RTIs

Authors

  • Aman Dev Singh Department of Community Medicine, Govt. Medical College, Patiala, Punjab
  • Rajinder Singh Balgir Department of Community Medicine, Govt. Medical College, Patiala, Punjab
  • Simmi Oberoi Department of Community Medicine, Govt. Medical College, Patiala, Punjab
  • Ira Jain Department of Community Medicine, Govt. Medical College, Patiala, Punjab
  • Ankur Jain Department of Community Medicine, Govt. Medical College, Patiala, Punjab

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20173358

Keywords:

RTIs, Reproductive Age group, Socio-demographic profile, Myths and misconceptions, hygiene

Abstract

Background: Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) represent a vast reservoir of infections among women of reproductive age group observed more often in developing countries.Besides being a major public health problem RTIs and STDs are responsible for infections in post abortion & puerperal period, fetal and perinatal deaths, infertility and cervical cancer. These are a reason for emotional distress in women and a reason for their social rejection.Despite the ability to cure these infections, they continue to be a major public health problem worldwide especially in developing countries.Hence, a hospital based study was done amongst women of reproductive age group reporting to Rajindra Hospital Patiala with RTI, in terms of their socio-demographic profile, myths and misconceptions related to RTIs.

Methods: This study was conducted with the objective of evaluating the socio-demographic profile, myths and misconceptions related to RTIs among reproductive age group women in Suraksha Clinic, Gynae OPD in Rajindra Hospital, Patiala from January 2014 to December 2014. A pretested structured Performa was used to collect data from 500 women with RTIs in 15-45 age group. Data was collected, compiled and analyzed statistically.

Results: Out of 500 diagnosed patients of RTIs, only 120 (i.e. 24%) had various myths and misconceptions about reproductive tract infections and among them 40% had believe that vaginal discharge was normal phenomena. Majority of RTI patient 12% had bad physical hygiene. However 49.20% among them had poor menstrual hygiene.

Conclusions: The influence of socio-demographic factors like age, educational status, socioeconomic status, menstrual hygiene also has its direct effect on occurrence of RTI in community.

Author Biography

Simmi Oberoi, Department of Community Medicine, Govt. Medical College, Patiala, Punjab

Assistant Professor

Community Medicine

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Published

2017-07-22

How to Cite

Singh, A. D., Balgir, R. S., Oberoi, S., Jain, I., & Jain, A. (2017). A study among women attending Suraksha clinic in a tertiary care hospital: their socio-demographic profile, myths and misconceptions related to RTIs. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 4(8), 2985–2988. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20173358

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Original Research Articles