Socio-demographic profile of reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases in reproductive aged women

Background: RTI including Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) are increasingly recognized as a major cause of morbidity in India. RTI have become widespread today because of the changing social fabric and unconventional sexual behaviors. The present study was done to assess the prevalence of RTI and STD in women aged 20-45 years and to correlate the socio-demographic factors with RTI & STD. Methods: Two hundred & fifty women in the age group of 20-45 years attending the outpatient department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of VPC & IMS, Lucknow were included in the study. Out of them 215 were symptomatic and 35 were asymptomatic. All of them were offered clinical and microbiological examinations. A pretested, semistructured interview schedule was used. Results: In this study the prevalence of RTI/STD was higher among women aged 31-35years, rural population, illiterate & less educated (90.4-97%) females, in farm workers & in students. The females having toilet access in field & outside toilet and with poor personal and menstrual hygiene, had more prevalence of RTI/STD. Conclusions: Hence we as obstetricians should try to make public aware about the importance of RTI/STD prevention, early diagnosis and prompt and complete treatment to avoid long term squealae.