A Study to Compare the Knowledge and Attitude of Urban and Rural Women regarding Reproductive Tract Infections in Selected Urban and Rural Areas of Guntur District, Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

Introduction: Women’s health during the reproductive or fertile years is relevant not only to women themselves, but also its impact on the health and development of the next generation. Reproductive tract infections are a hidden epidemic leading to enormous health and economic consequences worldwide.

Materials and methods: A comparative descriptive study was conducted to assess the knowledge and attitude of urban and rural women regarding Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs) in selected Urban and Rural areas Guntur Dist. Andhra Pradesh. The study was conducted among the women who are in the age group of 20 years to 60 years. Sample for this study was 75 women from urban area and 75 women from rural area, comprising a total size of 150 and the participants are selected by Simple random sampling technique. Structured Knowledge questionnaire and Likert 5 point attitude scale was used to collect the data. The responses are tabulated, organized, analyzed and interpreted by using descriptive and inferential statistics based on objectives of the study.

Results: Findings revealed that half (49.33%) of the respondents from urban area had moderately adequate knowledge and three fourth (84%) of the rural women had inadequate knowledge. Majority (66.66%) of the urban women had highly favorable attitude and most (97.33%) of the rural women had only favorable attitude regarding RTIs. The relationship between the knowledge and attitude level of the urban women (r=0.765) and rural women (r=0.514) revealed that there was strong positive correlation.

Conclusion: The study concluded that the knowledge and attitude of urban women was high compared to rural women. There is a need to educate the women on preventive strategies as women are less likely to seek treatment because of the stigma associated with it.