Prevalence and Health Seeking Behaviour among Women of Reproductive Age Group Regarding Reproductive Health and Morbidities

The past decade has witnessed the emergence of an increased interest in women's reproductive health and development related programme to improve reproductive health across the globe. In rural area the lack of awareness and health facilities in turn leads to high incidence of STD/RTI's. Aim: The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and health seeking behavior regarding reproductive health and morbidities among women of reproductive age group and the correlation between both variables. Methods: A quantitative research approach and descriptive research design was adopted to assess the baseline prevalence and health seeking behavior among 44 reproductive age women residing in selected areas of District Jalandhar. A self structured tool was used to collect the data. Tool was categorized in to three sections, socio demographic variables, check list to assess the reproductive health and morbidities, 3 point rating scale to explore the health seeking behavior. Results: Percentage distribution in prevalence rate of reproductive morbidity was 40.9% is and health seeking behavior was 27.5%. Mean overall reproductive morbidity prevalence score was 17.05 and mean health seeking behavior score was 40.70. There was a negative correlation between prevalence of reproductive morbidities and health seeking behavior among women of reproductive age group. Conclusions: The study concluded that majority of women were practicing unsatisfactory health seeking behavior and had high prevalence rate of reproductive morbidities.