Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: April | Volume: 7 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 166-170
Clinico-Etiological Study of Reproductive Tract Infections in Sexually Active Women in Rural Area
Meena Chauhan1, Renu Rattan2, Vinay Shanker3, Anil Kanga4, S. R. Majta5
1Medical Officer, Civil Hospital Rohru, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh,
2Medical Officer, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital Shimla, Himachal Pradesh,
3Professor, Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College & Hospital, Kumarhatti- Solan, Himachal Pradesh,
4Professor, Department of Microbiology, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh,
5Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh,
Corresponding Author: Meena Chauhan
ABSTRACT
Context: Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are recognized as major public health problem globally. They are second important cause of healthy life lost among women of reproductive age group in developing countries. However most of the Indian studies on reproductive health of women have been conducted at hospitals & in STI clinic. So this present study was planned with objective to clinically screen the reproductive age group women in rural area for any STIs and their aetiology confirmed by laboratory tests. Aims: To study the clinico-etiology of sexually transmitted infections in sexually active age group women. Settings and design: Prospective study.
Materials & methods: This prospective study was conducted among reproductive age group (15-49 years) women suffering from RTIs or asymptomatic who attended Community Health centre Dhami, Mashobara Block, District Shimla from August 2013-July 2014 by arranging outreach camps twice per month.
Results: Prevalence of STIs was 49.7% by laboratory test. Common age group affected (58.1%) was 25 to 34 years. Vaginal discharge (62.5%) was most common symptom followed by itching (16.7%), pelvic pain (9.3%), foul smell (6.8%) and irritation (2.9%). Bacterial vaginosis (18.2%) was common STI followed by candidiasis (17.7%), nongonococcal cervicitis (12.8%), gonorrhoea (0.49%) and herpes simplex (0.49%). Mixed infection of bacterial vaginosis /candidiasis and non gonococcal cervicitis was seen in 2.4% women.
Conclusion: In this study prevalence of RTIs / STIs among women in rural area is high and highlights the need to strengthen the rural health care system to early diagnose and prevent RTIs /STIs.
Key words: Reproductive tract infections, sexually transmitted infections, reproductive age group.