Knowledge, behaviors and prevalence of reproductive tract infections: a descriptive study on rural women in hunchun, china

Knowledge and Practice Regarding Abnormal Vaginal Discharge Among Adolescent Females in Riyadh City: An Observational Study

Introduction Vaginal discharge (VD) is a common condition that affects women during their childbearing years and often requires medical attention. It results from the physiological secretion of cervical and Bartholin's glands, as well as the shedding of vaginal epithelial cells caused by bacterial action in the vagina, which alters the acidic environment of the vagina. Experiencing vaginal symptoms is a common reason for seeking medical attention, especially among women during their reproductive years. This often leads to a visit to an obstetrician or a gynecologist. Accordingly, addressing such issues becomes even more crucial. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge and practice regarding abnormal VD (AVD) among adolescent females in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. Methods The present study utilized a correlational cross-sectional survey methodology conducted in Riyadh City. The questionnaire was employed as the data collection instrument from November 2022 to November 2023. Eligibility for inclusion was limited to adolescent females and students living in Riyadh City, aged from 14 to 20 years. Electronic consent was obtained from participants aged 18 years and above, while consent from guardians was sought for those below 18 years. This sample size was determined with a minimum requirement of 500 participants, and 824 were involved. The questionnaire encompassed several sections, including demographic characteristics (gender, age, education, and menstruation history), history of AVD, knowledge regarding VD, and students' practices and behaviors related to VD. Cronbach's alpha values for all the sections were more than 0.7. Data analysis was performed using statistical software, employing descriptive analysis, chi-square tests, and t-tests. Results A total of 824 girls were included, and their ages ranged from 14 to 20 years, with a mean age of (16 years ± 5) years old. Exactly 697 (84.6%) were high school students. Most of the study students (85.1%; 701) complained of an AVD at any point in their lives. Only 97 (11.8%) of the study students had a good knowledge level of VD. Higher age, marriage, late menarche, and seeking medical care for complaints of VD were the factors associated with a high knowledge level about VD (P<0.05). Additionally, 44.2% of school-age females sought medical care when experiencing AVD, with reasons including worsening symptoms over time and fear of serious diseases. However, a significant portion of participants opted for self-treatment using herbal remedies, medication from pharmacies, or leaving VD untreated, citing reasons such as perceiving it as a simple condition or fearing examination and disclosure. Conclusion In summary, the current study revealed that adolescent females demonstrate a sub-optimal level of knowledge regarding AVD. These findings are primarily observed among adolescent girls and individuals who exhibit a reluctance to seek appropriate medical intervention when having AVD.

Prevalence of reproductive tract infections among women preparing to conceive in Chongqing, China: trends and risk factors

Background

Reproductive tract infection has become a major public health issue all over the world for its high and growing prevalence. It can cause adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women and their foetuses. This study aimed to investigate the trends and risk factors of the prevalence of reproductive tract infections among women who prepared to conceive in the Chongqing Municipality (China) from 2012 to 2016.

Methods

A multi-center cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2012 and December 2016. Women aged 20–49 years who intended to get pregnant were recruited for this study. All participants underwent preconception examination, which included testing for Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, syphilis, bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis according to the national diagnostic standard. A total of 439,372 women with testing results for all six types of reproductive tract infections were included in our final analyses. Logistic regression and factor analysis were used to determine the possible sociodemographic factors associated with prevalence trends.

Results

In our study, the overall positive rate of RTIs among the 439,372 women of reproductive age was 5.03%. Candidiasis was the most common infection in our population (2.47%), followed by bacterial vaginosis (1.28%), syphilis (0.73%), T. vaginalis (0.49%), C. trachomatis (0.20%) and N. gonorrhoeae (0.06%). The prevalence of reproductive tract infections was highest among women aged 35 years and above, with a primary or lower education level, history of pregnancy, delivery, induced abortion, or spontaneous abortion. From 2012 to 2016, the trend of the overall prevalence of reproductive tract infections was V-shaped, decreasing steadily from 2012 to 2015, with a slight rise in 2016. Our results suggest that the distribution change of age, education level, gravidity, parity, and history of induced abortion influenced this trend.

Conclusion

Since the number of high-risk women who intend to become pregnant is growing in the Chongqing Municipality, pre-conception positive preventions including health education, regular screening, and timely treatment of reproductive tract infections are needed to prevent the impact of reproductive tract infections on maternal health and infant safety.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12978-022-01502-x.

Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) can cause serious health problems, such as spontaneous abortion and congenital diseases in pregnant women and their foetuses. However, there is a lack of studies focusing on the prevalence of RTIs and their trends among women who intend to conceive. This cross-sectional study examined data collected from 439,372 women during their preconception care to investigate the trend and related risk factors of the prevalence of RTIs, thereby providing essential data for their prevention. Participants were women from all 39 counties in the Chongqing Municipality of China, and data were collected between 2012 and 2016. We found that the overall prevalence of the six types of RTIs among these women was 5.03%, which was relatively lower than that in other populations in previous studies. Age, education level, history of pregnancy or delivery, and history of abortion were all associated with the prevalence of RTIs. The prevalence trend from 2012 to 2016 was V-shaped decreased steadily from 2012 until 2015 and rose slightly in 2016. Our data suggested that this trend might be influenced by changes in the proportion of ‘high-risk’ women, that is, women with higher age, lower education level, and a history of pregnancy or induced abortion. This study suggests that health education and regular screening are necessary to face new challenges experienced by older women or women with previous pregnancies who intended to get pregnant in recent years in China.

Evaluation of the Genital Hygiene Behavior and Related Factors of Women Aged 15-49

Aim: Approximately one million people in the world are exposed to urogenital tract infections every year and at least 75% of women have a history of genital infection. The frequency of vaginal infections in women aged 15-49 in Turkey is known to be 35-68%. Genital infections can be asymptomatic and can cause negativity in sexual and family life. Therefore, it is important to take preventive measures. Mentioning correct genital hygiene behaviors in the training and consultancy services provided by healthcare professionals helps people to increase their awareness. In our study, we aimed to evaluate women's genital hygiene behaviors and related factors. Methods: Our study was carried out with 457 women between the ages of 15-49 in the Gynecology Outpatient Clinic of Nisa Hospital. The socio-demographic characteristics and gynecological characteristics of the subjects were collected by face-to-face interviews using the questionnaire form that consisted of 20 questions and the “Genital Hygiene Behavior Inventory”. The IBM SPSS version 22 program was used for statistical analysis. Results: This study was conducted with 457 women. A significant negative correlation was found between the Genital Hygiene Behavior Inventory score and the number of pregnancies and number of children (p=0.028, r=-0.128, p=0.037, r=-0.128, respectively), and a significant positive correlation was found between education status, income status, and having children (p=0.010, p=0.000, p=0.007, respectively). Participants who stated that they had the knowledge and received this information from doctors and/or nurses had higher Genital Hygiene Behavior Inventory scores. Conclusion: Questioning genital complaints of women by all healthcare professionals, determining hygiene behaviors, and correcting erroneous practices will positively affect urogenital health. Keywords: hygiene, education, genital infection, reproductive health, family practice

Reproductive Tract Infection Among Women Suffering From Rheumatoid Arthritis in India: A Clinical-Based, Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Much research has been done on reproductive tract infections (RTIs), but no study exists about RTIs among rheumatoid arthritis women. Objectives: This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of RTIs among reproductive-aged women with rheumatoid arthritis in Pune, India. Methods: This clinical-based, cross-sectional study enrolled a sample of 400 consenting Indian women aged 15 -49 years with a history of at least three months’ rheumatoid arthritis referring to a popular community center. Patients were interviewed comprehensively using previously validated relevant questionnaires. Women underwent gynecological examinations and vaginal smears (wet mount) by a microbiologist to diagnose candidiasis, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. Syphilis serological testing was performed for the study population. Results: The prevalence obtained was 39.3%. Infection with bacterial vaginosis was 32.0%, Candidiasis 6.5%, and trichomoniasis 0.8%. Syphilis seroconversion was not observed. Adjusting for confounding factors in logistic regression showed that four factors remained significant, including age under 30 years [AOR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.2 - 4.9], living in a crowded and small one-room house [AOR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.2 - 5.1] , improper linen for menstruation bleeding [AOR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.1 - 3.3], and oral disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs [AOR: 3.96, 95% CI: 1.9 - 7.9]. Conclusions: This study demonstrated a large burden of RTIs in women suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Regular screening algorithms for RTIs are urgently required to prevent neglect and improve overall standard care in rheumatology practice. The presence of an oral disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug as a risk factor shows that more investigation is necessary in this case.

Disadvantaged populations in maternal health in China who and why?

BACKGROUND

China has made impressive progress towards the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) for maternal and reproductive health, but ensuring that progress reaches all segments of the population remains a challenge for policy makers. The aim of this review is to map disadvantaged populations in terms of maternal health in China, and to explain the causes of these inequities to promote policy action.

METHODS

We searched PUBMED, Popline, Proquest and WanFang and included primary studies conducted in mainland China. Experts were also contacted to identify additional studies. Disadvantaged populations in terms of MDG 5 and the reasons for this disadvantage explored by authors were identified and coded based on the conceptual framework developed by the WHO Commission on the Social Determinants of Health.

RESULTS

In China, differences in maternal health service utilization and the maternal mortality ratio among different income groups, and among regions with different socio-economic development still exist, although these differences are narrowing. Groups with low levels of education and ethnic minorities utilize maternal health care less frequently and experience higher maternal mortality, although we could not determine whether these differences have changed in the last decade. Rural-to-urban migrants use maternal health care and contraception to a lower extent than permanent residents of cities, and differential maternal mortality shows a widening trend among these groups. Gender inequity also contributes to the disadvantaged position of women. Intermediary factors that explain these inequities include material circumstances such as long distances to health facilities for women living in remote areas, behavioral factors such as traditional beliefs that result in reduced care seeking among ethnic minorities, and health system determinants such as out-of-pocket payments posing financial barriers for the poor.

CONCLUSIONS

Inequity in maternal health continues to be an issue worthy of greater programmatic and monitoring efforts in China.

Developing multipurpose reproductive health technologies: an integrated strategy

WOMEN WORLDWIDE CONFRONT TWO FREQUENTLY CONCURRENT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CHALLENGES: the need for contraception and for protection from sexually transmitted infections, importantly HIV/AIDS. While conception and infection share the same anatomical site and mode of transmission, there are no reproductive health technologies to date that simultaneously address that reality. Relevant available technologies are either contraceptive or anti-infective, are limited in number, and require different modes of administration and management. These "single-indication" technologies do not therefore fully respond to what is a substantial reproductive health need intimately linked to pivotal events in many women's lives. This paper reviews an integrated attempt to develop multipurpose prevention technologies-"MPTs"-products explicitly designed to simultaneously address the need for both contraception and protection from sexually transmitted infections. It describes an innovative and iterative MPT product development strategy with the following components: identifying different needs for such technologies and global variations in reproductive health priorities, defining "Target Product Profiles" as the framework for a research and development "roadmap," collating an integrated MPT pipeline and characterizing significant pipeline gaps, exploring anticipated regulatory requirements, prioritizing candidates for problem-solving and resource investments, and implementing an ancillary advocacy agenda to support this breadth of effort.