TITLE:
Socio-Demographic, Clinical, and Hygiene Profile of Syndromically Managed Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Cross Sectional Study in a Tertiary Care Center in India
AUTHORS:
Darshi Desai, Erum Khan, Dinesh Rathod
KEYWORDS:
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Menstrual Hygiene, Socio-Demographics, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Reproductive Tract Infections, Syndromic Management
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Clinical Medicine,
Vol.12 No.12,
December
14,
2021
ABSTRACT: Background: Sexually transmitted diseases are one of the several major public health concerns, the burden of which is borne by low- and middle-income countries like India. Purpose: The purpose is to evaluate the relationship between menstrual and sanitary hygiene and sexually transmitted diseases (STD) based on syndromic diagnosis Methods: An out-patient department (OPD) based cross sectional survey to determine these associations, if any exist, which would help critically analyze syndromic management. STD was reported by the presence of vaginal/cervical/urethral discharge with or without irritation and itching, lower abdominal pain and ulcer. Results: The prevalence of STD was 66.84% with the most commonly reported symptoms being discharged (31.18%), followed by abdominal pain (17.92%) and itching/irritation (12.90%), with ulcer (4.83%) being the least reported symptom. Perimenopausal age ((AOR: 0.420 [CI: 0.189 - 0.915]; p = 0.030), higher grades of education ((AOR: 0.228 [CI: 0.119 - 0.424]; p Conclusion: To better manage the group of diseases that may present with symptoms of STD under syndromic approach, we propose interventions such as menstrual hygiene education and promotion of the use of sanitary napkins among women especially those belonging to lower socio-economic sections of the society.