A study of the reproductive health status and its related factors among women living in the post tsunami intermediate shelters of Andaman islands, India

Abstract: Objectives: 1. To assess knowledge and practices of selected reproductive health factors among women living in the post tsunami intermediate shelters of Andaman Islands. 2. To estimate the prevalence of reproductive morbidity and their associated factors among these women. Material and methods: Descriptive cross sectional study of 166 women in the reproductive age group (15 - 49 years) living in the post tsunami intermediate shelters at Hurt bay, Port Blair, Andaman islands. Results and Conclusions: The knowledge of women regarding specific aspects of reproductive health and morbidity was found to be deficient. Several wrong practices about menstrual hygiene were prevalent. Various food and social taboos during menstruation were found and treatment seeking behaviour for various reproductive illnesses was also lacking. The prevalence of reproductive morbidity, particularly Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) was found to be 56% - 58%, with several factors such as high-risk behaviour and contraceptive type contributing to the same. Unreported morbidities such as polyps, cervical erosion, and uterine prolapse were detected during clinical examination. It is necessary to take care of reproductive health in post disaster situations in order to prevent related chronic reproductive morbidity in women.