An Exploratory Study to Assess the Reproductive Health Problems among Married Women in Selected Rural Areas of District Jalandhar, Punjab, 2015

Ms. Kamaljit Kaur Chhina¹, Ms. Ramandeep Kau², Ms. S. Nilavansa Begum³

¹Student, S.G.L. Nursing College, Semi, Jalandhar, Punjab.

²Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing, S.G.L. Nursing College, Semi, Jalandhar, Punjab.

³Associate Professor, Department of Community Health Nursing, S.G.L. Nursing College, Semi, Jalandhar, Punjab.

*Corresponding Author’s Email: kamal.chhina@ymail.com, ramanlove999@yahoo.com, S.Nilavansabegum@gmail.com

ABSTRACT:

Background of the study: Reproductive health problems are the burning issue in the present scenario. Reproductive health problems are the dysfunction of the reproductive tract, or any illness which is a consequence of reproductive behaviour including pregnancy, abortion, childbirth or sexual behaviour and may include those of psychological nature.

Objectives:

1. To assess the reproductive health problems among married women.

2. To find out association between reproductive health problems among married women with their selected socio-demographic variables.

Research Methodology: An exploratory study was conducted on conveniently selected 200 married women aged 18-55 years from selected rural areas of district Jalandhar, Punjab. Data was collected with the help of a structured checklist related to reproductive health problems among married women.

Result and Conclusion: In the present study out of 200 married women majority 66 (3%) of married women were having gynecological problems followed by 28 (14%) of married women who experienced obstetrical problems and only 01 (00.05%) married women had side effects related to use of contraceptives. 39 (19.50) of married women had no reproductive health problem. It was also analyzed that 59 (29.50%) married women had both gynecological and obstetrical problems followed by 3 (01.50%) who had Contraceptive and Gynecological problems and only 1 (00.50%) married women had obstetrical and contraceptive problem. In 03 (01.50%) married women all the three gynecological, obstetrical and contraceptive problems were present.

KEYWORDS: Reproductive health problems, Married Women.

INTRODUCTION:

Reproductive health has been defined by the WHO as the state of complete physical, mental, and social well being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity in all matters relating to the reproductive system and its functions and processes. Reproductive health problems are the dysfunction of the reproductive tract, or any illness which is a consequence of reproductive behaviour including pregnancy, abortion, childbirth or sexual behaviour and may include those of psychological nature.¹Reproductive problems can be broadly categorized into three subgroups: obstetric problems, gynaecological problems and contraceptive problems. Obstetric problems refer to ill health in relation to pregnancy and childbirth. Gynaecological problems include health problems outside pregnancy such as RTIs, menstrual problems, cervical ectopic, infertility, cancers, prolepses and problems related to intercourse. Contraceptive problems include conditions, which result from efforts to limit fertility, whether they are traditional or modern methods.²

According to WHO (2012), reproductive ill health accounts for 36.6 per cent of the total disease burden among women aged 15 to 45 years at global level. In India, though there are not many studies on women's reproductive morbidity in terms of gynaecological diseases, the available data indicate high prevalence in comparison to other developing and its neighbouring countries. Almost 39 percent of currently married women in India report at least one reproductive health problem related to vaginal discharge, urination or intercourse. Large proportion of women does not visit health facilities unless the disease becomes serious Reproductive health problems are looked down upon as a source of shame, blame, or embarrassment, and tend to be hidden in a so-called culture of silence. It was also found that the women generally perceived symptoms like vaginal discharge as “normal” and felt they did not require any care. They tended to seek treatment only when their health problems caused great physical discomfort or affected their work performance. The availability of health services also played an important role in access.³

MATERIALS AND METHOD:

The research setting was selected rural areas of District Jalandhar, Punjab. The study was conducted in 8 villages of district Jalandhar Dalla, Phull Ghudu Wall, Kahlwan, Sarai Khas, Kukkar Pind, Kot Kalan, Talan, Parsrampur. Setting was selected on the basis of zones. Jalandhar was divided ino 4 zones and 2 villages were selected from each zone. From north west researcher selected Sarai Khas and Kahlwan, from north east researcher selected Kukkar Pind and Kot Kalan, from south west researcher selected Dalla and Phull GhuduWall, from south east researcher selected Parsrampur and Talan. An exploratory study was conducted on conveniently selected 200 married women aged 18-55 years from selected rural areas of district Jalandhar, Punjab. Data was collected with the help of a structured checklist related to reproductive health problems among married women.

RESULTS:

The first objective revealed that in the present study out of 200 married women majority 66 (3%) of married women were having gynaecological problems followed by 28 (14%) of married women who experienced obstetrical problems and only 01 (00.05%) married women had side effects related to use of contraceptives. 39 (19.50) of married women had no reproductive health problem. It was also analyzed that 59 (29.50%) married women had both gynaecological and obstetrical problems followed by 3 (01.50%) who had Contraceptive and Gynaecological problems and only 1 (00.50%) married women had obstetrical and contraceptive problem. In 03 (01.50%) married women all the three gynaecological, obstetrical and contraceptive problems were present. According to second objective in the present study it was concluded that there was no association between the reproductive health problems and socio-demographic variables like Age (in years), Age at marriage (in years), education, occupation, income per month (in rupees), Type of delivery, Place of delivery, Type of family, Number of living children, any family planning method used (currently/ previously) were all non-significant.

CONCLUSION:

The study was undertaken to assess the reproductive health problems among married women in selected rural areas of district Jalandhar, Punjab 2015. A total of 200 samples were taken. Convenience sampling technique was used to collect data. The result was calculated by using descriptive and inferential statistics.From the findings it was concluded that in the present study out of 200 married women majority 66 (3%) of married women were having gynaecological problems followed by 28 (14%) of married women who experienced obstetrical problems and only 01 (00.05%) married women had side effects related to use of contraceptives. 39 (19.50) of married women had no reproductive health problem. It was also analyzed that 59 (29.50%) married women had both gnynaecological and obstetrical problems followed by 3 (01.50%) who had Contraceptive and Gynaecological problems and only 1 (00.50%) married women had obstetrical and contraceptive problem.In 03 (01.50%) married women all the three gynaecological, obstetrical and conntraceptive problems were present.

DISCUSSION:

The study was conducted to assess the reproductive health problems among married women in eight villages of district Jalandhar that are Dalla, Phull Ghudu Wal, Kahlwan, Sarai Khas, Kukkar Pind, Kot Kalan , Talan, Parsrampur. The first objective was to assess the reproductive health problems among married women.In the present study the researcher revealed that out of 200 married women majority 66 (3%) of married women were having gynaecological problems followed by 28 (14%) of married women who experienced obstetrical problems and only 01 (00.05%) married women had side effects related to use of contraceptives. 39 (19.50) of married women had no reproductive health problem. The first objective was to find out association between reproductive health problems among married women with their selected socio-demographic variables. In the present study it was concluded that the distribution of married women according to sample characteristics like i.e. Age (in years), Age at marriage (in years),education, occupation, income per month (in rupees), Type of delivery, Place of delivery, Type of family, Number of living children, any family planning method used (currently/ previously) were all non-significant. In contrast to present study, the results of the study conducted by Kaur S, Jarius R,Samuel G (2013) to assess the reproductive morbidities and treatment seeking behaviour among married women depicted that (24.5%) married women suffered from excessive vaginal discharge, followed by pain during menstruation (18%),other reported morbidities were frequent micturation (9%), frequent menses (9%).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

I want to express my gratitude especially to the sarpanches of the rural villages, who allowed me to conduct study and the subjects those who participated in the study. I thank my principal mam Ms.Lalita Kumari for her constant guidance and valuable suggestions. My loving husband, affectionate and adoring Parents and my guide Ms. Ramandeep Kaur and co-guide Ms.S. Nilavansa Begum and my friends for their constant support and encouragement.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

1. Written permission was taken from Principal, S.G.L Nursing College, Semi, Jalandhar, Punjab.

2. Ethical Clearance was taken from the Ethical Clearance Committee of S.G.L. Nursing College Semi, Jalandhar, Punjab.

3. Written permission was taken from sarpanch of selected villages that are Dalla, Phull Ghudu Wal, Kahlwan, Sarai Khas, Kukkar Pind, Kot Kalan , Talan, Parsrampur. Jalandhar, Punjab.

4. Written informed consent was taken from each study sample.

5. Confidentiality and Anonymity of samples were maintained throughout the study.

SOURCE OF FUNDING:

Self

CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

Nil

REFERENCES:

1. Guidelines on Reproductive Health http://www.un.org/popin/ unfpa/ taskforce/guide/iatfreph.gdl.html 6-10-2010.

2. Recommendations and Guidelines for Perinatal Medicine www.wapm. info/portals/0/recommendations perinatal.pdf reviewed in 2010

3. R Chellan Gynecological Morbidity and Treatment Seeking Behavior in South India: http://www.longwoods.com/content reviewed on 9-7-2006.

Received on 24.08.2015 Modified on 16.09.2015

Int. J. Adv. Nur. Management 3(4): Oct. - Dec. 2015; Page 360-362

DOI: 10.5958/2454-2652.2015.00034.7