Prevalence and Determinants of Suspected Reproductive Tract Infection/Sexually Transmitted Infection among Women of a...

Reproductive tract infection (RTI) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) comprise a hidden epidemic causing significant health and economic consequences. There is a paucity of literature on RTI/STI prevalence and health seeking behavior among South Indian reproductive women. Hence, we carried out this study in rural Puducherry to ascertain the prevalence, contributing factors, and treatment-seeking behavior of suspected RTI/STI among women of a reproductive age.

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural field practice area of JIPMER, Puducherry, between September 2018 and January 2020. Symptoms suggestive of RTI/STI were assessed according to the syndromic approach guidelines devised by World Health Organization for RTI/STI. Point estimates were reported as proportions with 95% confidence interval (CI). Log binomial regression was performed to identify the factors associated with suspected RTI/STI.

In total, 370 reproductive age group women participated in the study. The prevalence of suspected RTI/STI was 29.2% (95% CI: 24.6%-34.1%). Vaginal discharge (96.3%) was the most common RTI/STI symptom. Nearly 40% had history of similar symptoms in the past. Nearly one third (30.9%) did not seek care in any health facility. In multivariable analysis, women aged 15-19 years had higher risk of having suspected RTI/STI (aPR = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.02-4.25) when compared to women aged 40-49 years. Women using copper-T had 1.69 times higher risk of having suspected RTI/STI (aPR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.13-2.52) when compared to women using other forms of contraceptives.

Almost one in three reproductive age women had suspected RTI/STI in rural Puducherry. Almost one-third of them did not seek care from any health facility.