ABSTRACT
Introduction: Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) are a universal public health problem among young women in developingcountries and occupy the second position in public health problems. RTIs lead to 17% of economic losses in these countries.According to the WHO estimates in 2008, globally, 499 million new cases of RTIs occurred annually among women in thereproductive age group. In India, one among four women in the reproductive age group has any one type of RTIs and the annualincidence of RTI estimated is about 5%. Consequently, the prevalence rate of RTIs in various states of India is 19%–71%. Thereare about 40% of women estimated to have RTIs/sexually transmitted infections (RTI/STI) at any given point of time, but only1% complete the full course of treatment of both partners. The present study was conducted to know about the knowledge,attitude, and practices about the RTI/STIs among the antenatal mothers attending outpatient departments in Goa MedicalCollege as part of needs assessment for formulating educational and preventive strategies.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at Goa Medical College, a Tertiary Care Hospital atBambolim-Goa, from December 2018 until February 2019. Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) approval was taken from the IEC ofthe Goa Medical College. Data were collected by interviewing mothers using a semi-structured questionnaire. Additive scores weredeveloped for awareness, knowledge, and perceptions in specific areas of transmission, prevention, and treatment of RTI/STI. Thescores were characterized as poor, average, and good. Data were entered in EpiData Manager and analyzed using SPSS 22 version.Categorical variables were expressed in percentages and proportions and quantitative variables in mean ± SD. The associationbetween dependent and independent variables was assessed using bivariate analysis. P < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant.Aims and Objectives: The aims of the study were (1) to study the level of awareness regarding RTIs/STIs among antenatalmothers, (2) to study their knowledge regarding symptoms and modes of transmission of RTI/STI, (3) to study awarenessregarding preventive strategies for transmission of RTI/STIs, and (4) to study their attitudes and perceptions toward STIs.Results: The mean age of the study participants was 27.5 years. The majority of antenatal mothers, i.e., 64% were aware of RTI/STIsin our study. There was poor awareness in 46% of study subjects and good awareness in 28% of study subjects. On bivariate analysis,awareness was significantly related to education level (P = 0.000), occupation (P = 0.002), socioeconomic status (P = 0.000), andlocation (P = 0.000). About 59% antenatal mothers knew whitish discharge per vaginum as the most common symptom of STI/RTI.The other symptoms identified were lower abdominal pain by 56%, itching in perineal region by 40%, weakness by 50%, and lossof weight by 22%. The mode of spread of RTI/STIs was identified as a sexual route by 56% and blood transfusion by 35% and 31%and 30% were of the opinion that unhygienic conditions and unsafe deliveries were the modes of spread of RTI/STIs, respectively.About 50% antenatal mothers were aware that safe sexual practices can prevent STI/RTIs, 36% felt that the use of condoms helpsin preventing STI/RTIs, 22% opined that good personal hygiene is the mode of preventing RTI/STIs, and 31% were ignorant aboutits prevention. Thus, 67% subjects had poor knowledge, 24%average knowledge and good knowledge was present in only9% study subjects. On bivariate analysis, knowledge wassignificantly related to age (P = 0.04), education (P = 0.03),occupation (P = 0.002), and location (P = 0.015). Socioeconomicstatus shows significant linear by linear relation trends. About74% study, subjects felt that RTI should be treated to avoidcomplications, while 23% did not want to express themselves.Similarly, 20% subjects refused to talk about STIs. Half of the study participants (48%) had a poor score with respect to perception about STI/RTI. Only 19% had good scores which were significantlyrelated to education (P = 0.012), occupation (P = 0.001), and location (P = 0.000).Conclusion: The study findings show that although there is 64% awareness of STI/RTI, there is a lack of requisite knowledgewith respect to RTIs. The attitude, knowledge, and perception are significantly related to education, occupation, and location.Therefore, the knowledge has to be spread in society through educational programs so as to increase awareness of this problem,thereby curbing the spread of RTI/ STIs and their complications.