Impairment of Quality of Life in Symptomatic Reproductive Tract Infection and Sexually Transmitted Infection

BACKGROUND Reproductive tract infections (RTI) and sexually transmitted infections (STI) are often subclinical and remain undetected. The current study aimed to estimate the burden of RTI/STI, associated symptoms, risk factors and the impact of the condition on quality of life (QOL). METHODS A community based, cross sectional study was conducted. Married women aged 18 to 49 years were selected through systematic random sampling in a rural area. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to evaluate socio-demographic characteristics, symptoms, risk factors and knowledge regarding RTI/STI. A standardized instrument from the World Health Organization (WHO-BREF) was used to measure QOL. The chi square (χ(2)) and unpaired t tests were used for statistic evaluation of results. RESULTS In a sample of 464 women, 60 (13%) women were symptomatic and the commonest symptom was abnormal vaginal discharge (n = 54). 24 of the women had sought treatment. Age (p = 0.0006) and socio-economic status (p = 0.0004) were significant for an outcome of RTI/STI. Significant risk factors included lack of use of barrier contraceptives (p < 0.001), past history of infection (p < 0.001), use of reusable cloth during menstruation (p < 0.001) and presence of spousal symptoms (p < 0.001). QOL scores were impacted on all domains with significant differences. The largest mean difference was in the social relations and sexual activity domain. CONCLUSION In the current study, the obtained data was a 13% prevalence of RTI/ STI symptoms with a significant lack of awareness regarding occurrence and prevention among women and significant impairment on all QOL domains.