Awareness of sexually transmitted infection (STI)/reproductive tract infections (RTI) and HIV/AIDS in STI/RTI - affected married women of rural areas of Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh: A cross-sectional study.

Sir,

Awareness of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)/reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and their modes of transmission, methods of protection help in the prevention of STIs/RTIs and HIV infection. In a study on school going adolescence girls, it was found that only 42% of girls know about STIs and the same percentage are aware about HIV/AIDS.[1] Reproductive tract infections are associated with adverse health outcomes such as infertility, intrauterine growth retardation, premature labor, and increased vulnerability to HIV/AIDS.[2] A significant portion of female reproductive morbidity is associated with STIs/RTIs.[3] In best of our knowledge, there is no study regarding awareness of STI/RTI and HIV/AIDS in STI-infected women in our state. The present study was carried out with the objectives (i) to assess the level of awareness about STIs/RTIs, HIV/AIDS, link between STI and HIV, condom, and (ii) to know the factors influencing the awareness among married women from rural areas of Varanasi district, Uttar Pradesh. This is a cross-sectional study involving 400 STI affected married women respondents from STI clinic at tertiary health care center. Patients’ characteristics are given in Table 1. Diagnosis of STI was made on clinical, syndromic and laboratory basis. An interview schedule was administered to women about their awareness. Analysis of the frequency according to age groups for each level of awareness is given in Table 2 and according to educational level is given in Table 3. These observations showed that awareness of STI/RTI is significantly related to age (χ2 = 64.78, df = 3; P = < 0.001) and educational qualification (χ2 = 42.11, df = 2; P = < 0.001) of rural women. Most of the spouses of the patients were from risk groups (migrant laborer and truck drivers) which are mainly affected by STI as well as HIV infection. Prevalence of STIs is significantly higher among women than among men in developing countries.[4] STI continues to affect women's reproductive health and increased the risk of HIV transmission. Since rural women have been found to be more prone to STIs/RTIs, in general, education of rural women is essential so as to make them capable of realizing the importance of sexual and reproductive health. There is a need for female counselor to discuss the STIs/RTIs problem among women and explain correct treatment within a short period of time. Most of the women hesitate to explain their problems and symptoms, especially related to sex. Condom promotion is also chattered as the best option in order to reduce the effect of STIs/RTIs. The observations of the current study strongly suggests (even after wide spread program) to put more emphasis for awareness programs in a rural area regarding STIs/RTIs for the welfare of the people.

Table 1

Patients characteristics

Table 2

Awareness about STIs and HIV/AIDS in relation with age

Table 3

Awareness of STI and HIV/AIDS in relation with educational qualifications