Manuscript Title:

ASSESSMENT OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH LITERACY, BEHAVIORS AND HYGIENE PRACTICES AMONG INFERTILE FEMALE PATIENTS

Author:

AIZA SANAM, NADIA GHANI, MUNEEB UL HAQ, HOUDA JAVED, FAKHRA ASLAM, BABRA SHOUKAT

DOI Number:

DOI:10.5281/zenodo.10153029

Published : 2023-11-10

About the author(s)

1. AIZA SANAM - Department of Environmental Science, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan.
2. NADIA GHANI - Department of Environmental Science, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan.
3. MUNEEB UL HAQ - Institute of Applied Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
4. HOUDA JAVED - Department of Environmental Science, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan.
5. FAKHRA ASLAM - Department of Environmental Science, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan.
6. BABRA SHOUKAT - Department of Gynaecology, District Head Quarter Hospital, Okara, Pakistan.

Full Text : PDF

Abstract

Hygiene is indispensable for the protection of reproductive health. The higher prevalence rate of infertility issues in Pakistan makes it crucial for females of reproductive age to have detailed knowledge of hygienic behaviors. The study aimed at examining the health literacy level, awareness level and hygienic behaviors that may directly or indirectly influence the female reproductive health. The study was conducted in District Headquarter Hospital (DHQ), Okara, Pakistan. The source population comprised of 200 females facing infertility issues including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), fibroid uterus (FB), ovarian cysts (OC), ectopic pregnancy (EP) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). A structured questionnaire was designed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of infertile female subjects in the reproductive age group of 18 to 42 years. 41% of the female respondents were found in the age range of 26-34 years. With respect to the BMI category, it was found that around 70.0% of the females were in the category of Obese I. The knowledge about the effective preventive measures against disease transmission revealed that most of the females were lacking the knowledge. Considering the attitude of females, it was found that according to only 22.0% personal, food and environmental hygiene may be helpful in the prevention of disease transmission. The ersonal as well as environmental hygiene practices were not found to be at appropriate level as reported by the infertile female patients. Most of the items in the questionnaire were having a statistically significant association (p<0.05) with various infertility issues. It is, therefore, requisite for the
infertile females to have knowledge of good hygienic practices for the reduction of infertility issues.


Keywords

Hygiene, Infertility, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, Fiborid Uterus, Ovarian Cysts, Ectopic Pregnancy, Polycystic Ovarian Syndromes.