Reproductive Tract Infections among Women of Rural Community in Mewat, India

Abstract

Mewat is a backward area of north India, dominated by Meo community, a Muslim Rajput community following a mixture of Hindu and Islamic customs, practices and beliefs. Illiteracy, unhealthy lives, burden of frequent pregnancies, strong traditional culture and practices put the Meo women at higher risk of acquiring Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs). A community based cross-sectional study was undertaken among married women (between 15 and 49 yrs) in Mewat. The objective of the study was to understand the socio-demographic and socio-cultural factors that increase vulnerability to RTI among women. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. This article presents the findings of the study. 72.6 per cent of the respondents reported one or more symptoms of RTI. Only 31 per cent of the respondents were aware about RTI and 21 per cent about HIV/AIDs. Bivariate analysis indicated statistically significant association between educational level, age at marriage, place of delivery and awareness about RTI with presence of self-reported symptoms of RTI among the study population. Improving literacy and increasing awareness level among women about reproductive health is needed to reduce incidence of RTI in the study area.