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Research Paper | Public Health | India | Volume 12 Issue 6, June 2023 | Popularity: 5.3 / 10

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Intimate Partner Violence and Symptoms of Reproductive Tract Infections among Married Women in Aligarh

Saira Mehnaz, Shivangi Kumari, Ali Jafar Abedi, M Athar Ansari, Faiz N K Yusufi

Abstract: Background: An important indicator of women?s empowerment is their experience of violence. Cultural norms in India regarding the treatment of women facilitate tolerance of IPV. A positive link between IPV and RTIs has been demonstrated in high - resource countries; however, fewer studies have been conducted in low - resource countries. Reproductive Tract Infections (RTI) have a direct impact on reproductive and child health through infertility, cancers, and pregnancy complications. Objective: To find the determinants of RTI among married women with an experience of Intimate Partner Violence. Methods: The data for this cross - sectional study was collected from 500 married women (15 - 49 years of age). Symptoms of RTI found among women (N=201) who experienced violence were selected for this study. The collected data were analysed using IBM SPSS 20.0 Proportion, frequencies, chi square and logistic regression were used to interpret the data. Results: Prevalence of symptoms of Reproductive Tract Infections was found to be 58.2%. Maximum women presented with abnormal vaginal discharge followed by lower abdominal pain. Some women had vaginal discharge with lower abdominal pain and vaginal discharge, lower abdominal pain with genital ulcer. Odds of having reproductive tract infections were found to be more in study subjects who had a history of IPV, poor menstrual hygiene, husband history of RTI/STI, high parity and low use of contraceptives. Conclusions: Prevalence of symptoms was found to be associated with these females having low educational status, early age of marriage, high parity, partner history of reproductive Tract Infections, history of violence etc. Sexual and reproductive healthcare that incorporates IPV support services is needed to meet the special needs of abused women. Additionally, RTI screening should be considered for women who have experienced IPV.

Keywords: Intimate Partner Violence, Reproductive Tract Infection, Married Women

Edition: Volume 12 Issue 6, June 2023

Pages: 1136 - 1140

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.21275/SR23607182429

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