DOES EARLY AGE AT MARRIAGE INFLUENCE GYNAECOLOGICAL MORBIDITIES AMONG PAKISTANI WOMEN?

Abstract

This paper presents the prevalence of and investigates predictors for specific perceived gynaecological morbidities in Pakistani women. A total of 717 women were identified from eight squatter settlements in Karachi, Pakistan. Detailed information on demographics, contraceptive use and gynaecological morbidities was elicited. The perceived prevalence of uterine prolapse was 19·1% and that of pelvic inflammatory disease 12·8%. The prevalence of uterine prolapse (adjusted odds ratio 1·8; 95% confidence interval 1·0–3·0) was significantly higher among women who married at younger ages (≤16 years), independent of education, socioeconomic status and parity. That of pelvic inflammatory disease was significantly higher among those under 21 years of age (adjusted odds ratio 2·3; 95% confidence interval 1·1–4·8), independent of education, socioeconomic status and parity. Young Pakistani women report an immense burden of reproductive ill health, especially those who began sexual activity at an early age.