Identifying risk factors for lower reproductive tract infections among women using reusable absorbents in Odisha, India
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Authors
Das, Padmalaya
Lisnek, Danielle
Sahoo, Krushna Chandra
Sinha, Shalini
Mohanty, JyotiRanjan
Sahoo, Pranati
Bilung, Bibiana
Panda, Bijaya
Tanton, Clare
Torondel, Belen
Issue Date
2021-04-29
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Menstrual Hygiene Management , Reusable Absorbents , Bacterial Vaginosis , Candidiasis , Reproductive Tract Infections
Alternative Title
Abstract
A large proportion of women in Odisha, India, use reusable absorbents to manage their menstruation. Yet, the risk factors for lower reproductive tract infections (RTIs) related to menstrual hygiene management (MHM) have not been studied among reusable absorbent users. Women of reproductive age attending one of two hospitals from two different cities in Odisha during two separate study intervals were recruited for the study. Laboratory diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) were conducted. A questionnaire was used to collect information on MHM practices, water, sanitation, and socio-demographic factors. Among the 509 women who used reusable absorbents, 71.7% were diagnosed with at least one infection. After adjusting for confounders, women with BV were more likely to identify as being a housewife (aOR: 1.8 (1.1–2.9)). Frequent absorbent changing was protective against BV (aOR: 0.5 (0.3–0.8)), whereas frequent body washing increased the odds of BV (aOR: 1.5 (1.0–2.2)). Women with VVC were more likely to be older (aOR: 1.6 (1.0–2.5)), live below the poverty line (aOR: 1.5 (1.1–2.2)), have a non-private household latrine (aOR: 2.2 (1.3–4.0)), dry their absorbents inside the house (aOR: 3.7 (2.5–4.5)), and store absorbents in the latrine area (aOR: 2.0 (1.3–2.9)). Washing absorbents outside the house was protective against VVC (aOR: 0.7 (0.4–1.0)). This study highlights the importance of improving MHM practices among reusable absorbent users to prevent lower RTIs among women reusing menstrual materials in Odisha.
Description
Citation
Das, P., Lisnek, D., Sahoo, K. C., Sinha, S., Mohanty, J., Sahoo, P., Bilung, B., Panda, B., Tanton, C., & Torondel, B. (2021). Identifying Risk Factors for Lower Reproductive Tract Infections among Women Using Reusable Absorbents in Odisha, India. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(9), 4778. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18094778
Publisher
International Journal of Environmental Research And Public Health