Prevalence of Reproductive Tract Infections Amongst Ever Married Women and Sociocultural Factors Associated with It

A community-based study was carried out to assess the prevalence of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) among ever married rural women aged 15 -45 years at village Naila during 2002. Six hundred houses were surveyed and all the eligible women residing in these houses were interviewed by MPWs and Interns and were offered medical examinations at rural health training centre, Naila. At least one symptom related to RTIs was found in 471(55%) out of 859 women. Only 50% (432/859) women gave consent for their gynaecological and microbiological examinations. Out of 432 women examined 61% (263/432) had at least one type of RTIs. Out of 263 cases, 43% had cervicitis, 26% had bacterial vaginitis, 14% had fungal infection, 8% had trichomonas vaginitis, 22% had pelvic inflammatory disease and 19% had cervical erosion. Prevalence of RTI was significantly associated with age, personal hygiene, material used for menstrual blood, gravida status, type of attendance at child birth, invasive contraceptives, gynaecological surgery but caste, literacy status and place of deliveries were not significantly associated with RTI status in the present study.