Awareness and Perception of Sexually Transmitted Disease (STI) in females: A cross sectional study
Abstract
Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is a public health importance as it adversely impacts the reproductive health of people. So this present study was conducted on 360 females of slum area of Jaipur city to assess the awareness about STI/RTI and their perception and practices. Prevalence of RTI/STI among females (15-49 years) of slum area of Jaipur was found 38.2%. Awareness regarding symptoms of RTI/STI, mode of its spread and its prevention was 39.7%, 33.6% and 28.6% respectively. Regarding treatment seeking behavior for RTI/STI more women from higher socioeconomic status as well as higher educational status were opting for taking treatment. This awareness not found to be affected by literacy level of females.
Perception and practices regarding choice of health facility for treatment of RTI / STI, it was observed that 57.8% females were of opinion that treatment for RTI / STI should be taken, 32.5% of the females actually took the treatment and 42.2% of females believed that there is no need of treatment. Maximum females (23.6%) believed that treatment should be taken from lady doctor. Among those who took the treatment, half (42.3%) of them took treatment from lady doctor.
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Introduction
Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) present a hung burden of disease and adversely impacts the reproductive health of people. They cause suffering for both men and women around the world but their consequences are far more devastating and wide spread among women than among men. The estimate also indicated that about 40% of women have RTI / STI at any given point of time but only 1% completes the full treatment of both partners. 1
So this study was conducted in Mahila Chikitsalay to estimate the burden of RTI/STI in females attending this hospital.
Conclusion
Prevalence of RTI/STI among females (15-49 years) of slum area of Jaipur was found 38.2%. Awareness regarding symptoms of RTI/STI, mode of its spread and its prevention was 39.7%, 33.6% and 28.6% respectively. Regarding treatment seeking behaviour for RTI/STI more women from higher socioeconomic status as well as higher educational status were opting for taking treatment. This awareness not found to be affected by literacy level of females.
Perception and practices regarding choice of health facility for treatment of RTI / STI, it was observed that 57.8% females were of opinion that treatment for RTI / STI should be taken, 32.5% of the females actually took the treatment and 42.2% of females believed that there is no need of treatment. Maximum females (23.6%) believed that treatment should be taken from lady doctor. Among those who took the treatment, half (42.3%) of them took treatment from lady doctor.