How do urban slum women manage excessive vaginal discharge? A community based cross sectional study

Abstract Background: Early detection of gnaecological morbidities is an important factor in treating and managing the underline disease. Abnormal vaginal discharge, which is a recurring problem for most of the women at reproductive age is a good predictor for many gynaeclogical morbidities. Many women constantly neglect abnormal vaginal discharge because of the prevailing “culture of silence”. Women who live in urban slum are vulnerable for many unhealthy practices and lifestyles and having a high prevalence of reproductive tract infection especially sexually transmitted infections. Hence, this study was aimed to describe urban slum women’ understanding, attitudes and related practices for abnormal vaginal discharge. Methods: This community based cross sectional study was conducted among 550 women living in urban slum in the Colombo Municipal Council area, Colombo District, Sri Lanka during September- March 2016. A multistage cluster sampling technique was used. A validated, pretested Interviewer Administered Questionnaire was used to collect information from females. Data were analysed using descriptive and relevant inferential statistics (Chi square test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The majority of women (89.5%) was unemployed and were married (92%). The mean age of the women was 32.51 (SD±7.94) years. Mean knowledge score was 29.18 (SD± 8.68). Most of the women (97.1%) had inadequate level of knowledge (<50%). A significant association was observed between the knowledge score levels with the participants’ educational level (p=0.00). Major areas of knowledge deficit include causes for pathological vaginal discharge and reproductive tract infections. Majority (95.9%) agreed that abnormal vaginal discharge should be taken seriously but from the women who accepted (78.2%) that vaginal discharge has ever been a concern to them, only 59% had consulted a general practitioner. There was a significant relationship with having accompanying symptoms such as burning sensation and lower abdominal pain and consulting a general practitioner (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of the study imply the importance of health education to improve the health seeking behaviours. The culture specific health education intervention measures need to be targeted in order to improve their knowledge, attitudes and practices towards vaginal discharge as well as disease prevention and health promotion.