Impairment of Quality of Life in Symptomatic Reproductive Tract Infection and Sexually Transmitted Infection
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Authors
Valsangkar, Sameer
Selvaraju, Dhamodharan
Rameswarapu, Rohin
Kamutapu, Shivaprasad
Issue Date
2014-06
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Impairment of Quality of Life , Symptomatic Reproductive Tract Infection , Sexually Transmitted Infection
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background:
Reproductive tract infections (RTI) and sexually transmitted infections (STI) are often subclinical and remain undetected. The current study aimed to estimate the burden of RTI/STI, associated symptoms, risk factors and the impact of the condition on quality of life (QOL).
Methods:
A community based, cross sectional study was conducted. Married women aged 18 to 49 years were selected through systematic random sampling in a rural area. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to evaluate socio-demographic characteristics, symptoms, risk factors and knowledge regarding RTI/STI. A standardized instrument from the World Health Organization (WHO-BREF) was used to measure QOL. The chi square (χ2) and unpaired t tests were used for statistic evaluation of results.
Results:
In a sample of 464 women, 60 (13%) women were symptomatic and the commonest symptom was abnormal vaginal discharge (n = 54). 24 of the women had sought treatment. Age (p = 0.0006) and socio-economic status (p = 0.0004) were significant for an outcome of RTI/STI. Significant risk factors included lack of use of barrier contraceptives (p < 0.001), past history of infection (p < 0.001), use of reusable cloth during menstruation (p < 0.001) and presence of spousal symptoms (p < 0.001). QOL scores were impacted on all domains with significant differences. The largest mean difference was in the social relations and sexual activity domain.
Conclusion:
In the current study, the obtained data was a 13% prevalence of RTI/ STI symptoms with a significant lack of awareness regarding occurrence and prevention among women and significant impairment on all QOL domains.
Description
Citation
Valsangkar, S., Selvaraju, D., Rameswarapu, R., & Kamutapu, S. (2014). Impairment of quality of life in symptomatic reproductive tract infection and sexually transmitted infection. Journal of reproduction & infertility, 15(2), 87–93.
Publisher
Journal of Reproduction & Infertility