Prevalence of reproductive tract infection among tribal migrant women living in urban areas: a community-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives

The current study investigates the reproductive tract infections (RTIs) among tribal migrant women in urban areas of Gujarat, India. These groups of women face multiple challenges, including limited healthcare access, poor living conditions, and inadequate reproductive and child healthcare services. Therefore, the present study was conducted to assess the RTIs of tribal women living in urban areas.

Study design

It was a community-based cross-sectional study.

Methods

It was conducted among the four municipal corporation areas in Gujarat. A sample of 592 women, who were in reproductive age (15–45 years) and belonging to tribal community and seasonally migrated to urban areas, were included for the study.

Result

Almost 64% of the participants married before the legal age of 18, with 29% marrying before the age of 15. Furthermore, early pregnancy (at <18 years) was reported by 29% of the women. Approximately 22% of the women experienced reproductive health issues, with a prevalence of 13% for symptomatic RTIs, 8% for urinary tract infections (UTIs), and 8% for menstrual problems. Almost 58.4% of women with RTIs, 54.1% with UTIs, 48.9% with menstrual problems, and 46.1% with polycystic ovary syndrome were classified as underweight. However, this relationship was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

The study revealed the 13% of the prevalence of RTIs among the migratory tribal women. It is matching with national-level community-based study of India National Family Health Survey. The current study explored that there is no association of nutrition and RTI. Also, it is required to plan a larger-level community-based study to understand overall reproductive health issues among all different group of women.