A Study on Role of Sociodemographic Status of Women of Reproductive Age Group in Excessive Vaginal Discharge in DMCH

Introduction: Vaginal discharge is the commonest complaint of women of reproductive age group in OPD of DMCH. It is the common symptom associated with reproductive tract infection. But recent evidence shows weak association between vaginal discharge and reproductive tract infection. Psychosocial factors also contribute to vaginal discharge. Factors like illiteracy, muslim religion, low socioeconomic status, high parity, increasing age were found to be significantly associated with vaginal discharge. So the problem of vaginal discharge should be understood in sociocultural perspective. Proper understanding of this problem helps in framing health policies and medical education programme. Method: The study is conducted in the outpatient department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Darbhanga Medical College, Laheriasarai, Bihar. Women with C/o vaginal discharge were interviewed with a pretested questionnaire & sociodemographic details, obstetrics history, contraceptive practices personal and menstrual hygiene were noted. Statistical analysis of the significance of association of different variables was done. Results: The prevalence was found to be 29.44%. It is more prevalent in younger age group, high parity, illiterate women, lower socioeconomic class, history of home delivery, induced abortion, poor personal & menstrual hygeine were significantly associated with vaginal discharge. Commonest complaint associated with vaginal discharge were backache, lower abdominal pain and dysuria. Conclusion: Increasing awareness regarding personal & menstrual hygeine, proper education, increasing employment rate, women?s empowerment, increasing institutional deliveries will help in decreasing problem of vaginal discharge.