Socioeconomic correlates of reproductive morbidity among adolescent girls in Sikkim, India.
The present study investigates the prevalence of reproductive health morbidities, treatment-seeking behavior, and its association with sociodemographic correlates among unmarried and married adolescent girls of Sikkim. The study sample includes 1250 adolescent girls randomly selected from both urban and rural blocks of the State. Information on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, prevalence of reproductive health morbidities, and treatment-seeking behavior was collected using standard pretested questionnaires.


RESULTS
of the study indicate that the prevalence of reproductive health morbidities among both married and unmarried girls is quite high. Age, media exposure, and economic status emerged as significant correlates of treatment-seeking practices among both married and unmarried girls. High prevalence of reproductive health morbidity in this vulnerable group, particularly in rural settings, requires urgent intervention of health planners. This study reinforces an indirect and mediatory role of socioeconomic and demographic factors in the prevalence of reproductive health morbidities and associated treatment-seeking behaviors.
Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, India.
Shailendra Kumar
SK
Mishra
Susmita
S
Mukhopadhyay
D000293:Adolescent; D000740:Anemia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D017533:Marital Status / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009017:Morbidity; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D034121:Reproductive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D060737:Reproductive Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012423:Rural Health; D012819:Sikkim / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health; D055815:Young Adult