Reproductive tract infection and health seeking behaviour of eligible couples--an appraisal.

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Paschim Midnapur district of West Bengal during March 2009 to August 2009 to find out the prevalence of reproductive tract infection and the health seeking behaviour. The respondents were 2000 currently married women (15-49 years age group) selected by stratified multistage random sampling. House to house visit and data collection by interview technique was done by faculty members of community medicine of Calcutta National Medical College and other medical colleges through predesigned and pretested schedule. The prevalence of reproductive tract infection was 11.7%, which was higher in 30-35 years age group (19.4%). Reproductive tract infection was indirectly proportional to literacy status. Prevalence of reproductive tract infection was significantly higher among those who did not use sanitary napkin / clean sun-dried domestic clothes. The occurrence of reproductive tract infection was lower who used to practise barrier method of contraception. Majority of symptomatic females complained about vaginal discharge (29.2%). Information, education, communication regarding small family norms, reproductive hygiene and contraceptive practice to be enhanced in the community through intervention (interpersonal communication and mass media) in future to reduce the reproductive tract infection morbidities.