Reproductive morbidity and associated factors among ever-married women aged 15–49 years attending a tertiary care hospital in bihar: a hospital-based observational study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/tb5q2m34Keywords:
Reproductive morbidity, Reproductive tract infection, Ever-married women, Women's health, Menstrual disorders, Pelvic inflammatory disease, IndiaAbstract
BackgroundReproductive morbidity remains an important public health concern among women of reproductive age, particularly in rural and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Identifying common reproductive morbidities and their associated factors is essential for improving women's reproductive health.
AimTo determine the prevalence and pattern of reproductive morbidity among ever-married women aged 15–49 years attending Madhubani Medical College and Hospital and to identify associated socio-demographic and reproductive factors.
Materials and MethodsA hospital-based observational study was conducted among 120 ever-married women aged 15–49 years attending the Gynecology Outpatient Department. Participants were enrolled using consecutive sampling. Socio-demographic characteristics, menstrual and reproductive history, contraceptive practices, menstrual hygiene, clinical findings, and relevant investigations were recorded using a structured proforma. Data were analysed using SPSS version 27.0. Associations were assessed using the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, as appropriate, and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors.
ResultsThe mean age of participants was 31.8 ± 7.4 years. Overall, 72 (60.0%) women had at least one reproductive morbidity. Reproductive tract infections were the most common morbidity (31.7%), followed by menstrual disorders (24.2%), pelvic inflammatory disease (16.7%), cervical erosion (15.0%), uterine fibroids (12.5%), ovarian cysts (10.8%), and pelvic organ prolapse (8.3%). Increasing age, multiparity, poor menstrual hygiene, and low educational status were significantly associated with reproductive morbidity (p<0.05). On multivariable analysis, poor menstrual hygiene, multiparity, low educational status, and age ≥35 years were independent predictors.
ConclusionReproductive morbidity was common among ever-married women attending the tertiary-care hospital. Strengthening reproductive health screening, menstrual hygiene education, health awareness, and timely diagnosis and management may help reduce the burden of reproductive morbidity.
References
1. World Health Organization. Sexual and reproductive health: defining sexual and reproductive health. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2023.
2. World Health Organization. Global strategy for women's, children's and adolescents' health (2016–2030). Geneva: WHO; 2016.
3. International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), ICF. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), India, 2019–21. Mumbai: IIPS; 2021.
4. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. National Guidelines on Prevention, Management and Control of Reproductive Tract Infections including Sexually Transmitted Infections. New Delhi: Government of India; 2022.
5. International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. FIGO recommendations on management of abnormal uterine bleeding. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2023;160(Suppl 1):1–18.
6. United Nations Population Fund. State of World Population 2023. New York: UNFPA; 2023.
7. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. RMNCH+A Strategy: Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health. New Delhi: Government of India; 2022.
8. Sharma S, Gupta P, Singh M. Prevalence and determinants of reproductive tract infections among reproductive-age women in rural India. J Family Med Prim Care. 2021;10(6):2234-40.
9. Kumari R, Sinha A, Verma N. Pattern of reproductive morbidity among women attending a tertiary care hospital in eastern India. J Obstet Gynaecol India. 2022;72(5):451-8.
10. Patel V, Shah S, Patel M. Reproductive morbidity and associated sociodemographic factors among married women: a cross-sectional study. BMC Womens Health. 2021;21:287.
11. Haggerty CL, Taylor BD. Mycoplasma genitalium: an emerging cause of pelvic inflammatory disease. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2011;2011:959816.
https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/959816
12. Singh A, Chalasani S, Koenig MA, Mahapatra B. The consequences of early marriage for women's reproductive health in India. Int Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2012;38(4):196-204.
13. Bloom SS, Wypij D, Gupta MD. Dimensions of women's autonomy and the influence on maternal health care utilization in a North Indian city. Demography. 2001;38(1):67-78.
https://doi.org/10.1353/dem.2001.0001
14. Sumpter C, Torondel B. A systematic review of the health and social effects of menstrual hygiene management. PLoS One. 2013;8(4):e62004.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0062004
15. Das P, Baker KK, Dutta A, Swain T, Sahoo S, Das BS, et al. Menstrual hygiene practices, WASH access and reproductive tract infection among adolescent girls in Odisha, India. PLoS One. 2015;10(3):e0119817.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0130777
16. George A, Amin A, de Abreu Lopes CM, Ravindran TKS. Structural determinants and health inequities in women's sexual and reproductive health. Lancet. 2020;396(10246):258-79.
17. Lwanga SK, Lemeshow S. Sample Size Determination in Health Studies: A Practical Manual. Geneva: World Health Organization; 1991.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Dipesh Kumar Gupta (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
