title: The meaning of RTI in Vietnam--a qualitative study of illness representation: collaboration or self-regulation?
abstract: In collaboration with the National Committee for Population and Family Planning, a study was conducted in a rural and urban commune of northern Vietnam to provide community-level information about women's reproductive health and behaviors. Ethnographic and structured interviews were conducted with 32 women. A psychosocial model of health behavior, the Dual Process Model, was applied to provide a theoretical framework for understanding women's interpretations of, and strategies for, coping with symptoms of reproductive tract infections (RTIs). Women were found to interpret and manage RTI symptoms collaboratively with other women. Therefore, women's approach to care seeking was influenced heavily by their peer network and not driven by their method of family planning.
authors.affiliation: Center for AIDs and STDs, University of Washington, Seattle 98122-4304, USA. pamina@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Gorbach
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Hoa
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eng
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsui
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology*; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007434:Intrauterine Devices / Q000009:adverse effects; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D010379:Peer Group; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D012648:Self Care / Q000523:psychology*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D012803:Sick Role; D012944:Social Support; D014744:Vietnam