title: KAP Study on Sexually Transmitted Infections/Reproductive Tract Infections (STIs/RTIs) among married women in rural Haryana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  About 490 million cases of curable Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI) occur throughout the world, of which 79 million cases occur in India annually. Sexually Transmitted Infections/Reproductive Tract Infections (STI/RTI) confers a huge economic burden on the individual and the health system. Complications of RTI/STI are many, ranging from chronic pain syndrome to infertility. Most of these complications can be prevented by early diagnosis and treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess knowledge, attitude and practices on STI/RTIs among married women aged 15-45 years in rural Haryana.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study, conducted in selected villages under the primary health centre Mandi, Sonepat, Haryana.
  
  
  METHODS
  Systematic sampling was used to cover 10 villages. In each village, every tenth house was sampled, taking first house from the center of the village. Face-to-face interview was conducted using pretested questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive statistics and results were described in percentages.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 344 women were interviewed. About 44% women had never heard of STI/RTI. The prevalence of self-reported symptoms of STI/RTI was very high (60%). Only 40% of them opted for treatment and most common cause for not opting for treatment was that they considered it as a minor problem. Advice for use of condom during the treatment was received by only 20% of patients and only 26.5% of their husbands also received treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall knowledge, attitude and practices relating to STI/RTI among married women in rural Haryana was poor. The prevalence of self-reported STI/RTI was found to be high and treatment seeking behavior was poor.
authors: Department of Community Medicine, Velammal Medical College Hospital and Research Institute, Velammal Village, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors: Sa
authors: S
authors: Rizwan
authors: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors: Rama S
authors: RS
authors: Rath
authors: National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors: Gupta
authors: G
authors: Vivek
authors: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors: Nitika
authors: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors: Gupta
authors: G
authors: Anant
authors: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors: Ahamed
authors: A
authors: Farhad
authors: Department of Community Medicine, BPS Government Medical College for Women, Khanpur Kalan, Sonepat, Haryana, India.
authors: Silan
authors: S
authors: Vijay
keywords: Attitude; knowledge; married women; practices; reproductive tract infections; rural Haryana; sexually transmitted infection
references: Indian J Public Health. 2011 Jan-Mar;55(1):38-41
references: 21727680
references: Indian J Community Med. 2012 Jan;37(1):34-8
references: 22529538