ISSN 2326-7291
International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 4 (2), pp. 115-120, February, 2015. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Prevalence and risk factors of lower reproductive tract infections among women in an Urban Area of China
1Shenghui Wu*, 2Zhong Liu, 3Zhaomin Liu and 4Lap Ah Tse*
1University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio-Laredo Campus, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Laredo, TX, USA.
2Vanderbilt University, School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN,USA.
3,4School of Public Health and Primary Care, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, PR China.
E-mail:[email protected]
Accepted 22 August, 2013
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of lower reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and the influential risk factors among Chinese women from the poorest families. A face-to-face interview and a gynecological examination were performed for 848 Chinese women from the poorest families. The prevalence of lower RTIs among the poorest women was 53.80%, and cervix presented the most prevalent cite of lower RTIs (46.93%). Women with lower education level [odds ratio (OR) = 1.49, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.09-2.04] and under unemployment (1.47, 1.07-2.01) were associated with significantly increased risk of lower RTIs after adjustment for other covariates. High prevalence of RTIs was associated with low education and unemployment status and perceived poverty was the main reason for not seeking medical consultation for reproductive problems. Specific reproductive health educational promotion programs and adequate services should be offered to this group of disadvantaged women from the lowest socioeconomic class.
Key Words: Reproductive tract infection, poverty, women, prevalence, risk factors.