https://imcjms.com Ibrahim Medical College Journal of Medical Science https://imcjms.com/registration/journal_full_text/88 Wed, 21 Sep 2016 09:54:12 +0000 Objectives:To determine the proportion of reproductive tract infection (RTI) among the married women of reproductive age in a slum of Dhaka and to ascertain their treatment seeking behaviour. Place and period of the study:The study was undertaken from March to June in the year 2003 in the Naderkhan slum of Rayer Bazar area in Dhaka City. Conclusion:Although a considerable number of the married women of reproductive age living in the slum suffered from various types of RTIs, only one fourth of them received any sort of treatment, and that also mainly from the traditional healers. Bangladesh being a signatory to the MDG, maternal health is a priority area. Urban slums cannot be overlooked. Introduction RTIs are being increasingly recognized as a serious global health problem with impact on individual women and men, their families and communities. They can have severe consequences, including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, miscarriage, and increased risk of HIV transmission. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that each year, over 333 million new cases of curable sexually transmitted infections (STI) occur and most of them take place   in developing countries. RTIs that are not sexually transmitted are considered even more common2. In this study an attempt was made to determine the proportion of RTIs among the married women of reproductive age in a slum of Dhaka as well as to assess their treatment seeking behavior. As women of reproductive age are the most vulnerable to RTIs, the study was designed to confine it to this group2. Methods and Materials A total of 207 married women of reproductive age (15-49 years) who were not menstruating, not pregnant or not in immediate postnatal period (6 weeks after delivery) during the time of interview were identified as the study subjects. Data were collected through a face-to-face interview. The interview was conducted anonymously and privately. Results In these 207 married women, RTI was found in 94 (45.4%) women. These were categorised as: abnormal vaginal discharge (73.4%), lower abdominal pain (44.9%), painful coitus (41.5%), burning sensation during urination (28.7%), itching in genital area (20.2%) and pain during urination (8.5%). The mean duration of abnormal vaginal discharge was 39.87 ± 35.15 months.     Characteristics  Yes(%)                    No(%) Test statistic Illiterate 83 (60.1)   10 (55.6) 18 (8.7) Class 1-5 16 (45.7) p = 0.141 10 (62.5) 16 (7.7) Main occupation of the respondents 67 (52.8) 127 (61.4) Maid servant 29 (70.7) c2(3)=8.607 12 (42.9) 28 (13.5) Others 8 (72.7)   Nuclear 83 (53.2) c2(1)=0. 486 21 (41.2) 51 (24.6) Family size     20 (32.3) 62 (30) ³4 71 (49.0) p = 0.013     Yes 3744.6 t (205)=-.959 113 ±1119.5       Treatment providers Abnormal Vaginal discharge (n=28) Vaginal itching (n=6) Painful coitus (n=8) 17.9 33.3 12.5 25.0 - - 17.9 66.7 - 0.5 -   35.7 - 87.5 Discussion In this study only the married women of reproductive age, majority being in the age group of 15 to 19 years were selected. The mean age of the respondents (26.09 ± 8.06 years) made no statistically significant difference between the RTI positive and negative cases. This is similar to a study conducted by Hussain et al. in 1996 among the rural women, where also, age didn’t show any significant influence4. The above two findings in the context of educational status and monthly family income, runs contrary to our assumption that RTI will be more common among the poor socio- economic groups and in those with a lower level of education. No plausible explanation can be put forward but suggest to policy makers that due attention be given to all groups and not remain confined to the lower SES groups as far as mitigation of RTI is concerned. Larger families (³4) also contributed to higher RTI thus suggesting that the prevention program of RTI would be more effective if family planning services were incorporated at this point. Looking at the utilization pattern of different sources of treatment, except for dysuria and vaginal itching, most of the respondents sought treatment from traditional healers for rest of the symptoms of RTI. Several studies also reveal that acceptance of traditional medicine for reproductive health is due to a blind reliance on this6-10. This we need to take into consideration because such behaviour leads to patients receiving either inappropriate or insufficient medication. Conclusion   2026 Ibrahim Medical College. All rights reserved.