The Prevalence of Reproductive Tract Infections in a Chinese Internal Migrant Population, and Its Correlation with Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices: A Cross-Sectional Study

Shuangfei Xu, Chuanning Yu, Ying Zhou, Junqing Wu, Tieling Bai, Junxian Zhang and Yuyan Li
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Shuangfei Xu: Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproductive Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 210035, China
Chuanning Yu: Longhua District Center for Chronic Disease Control (Mental Health Center), Shenzhen 518110, China
Ying Zhou: Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproductive Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 210035, China
Junqing Wu: Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproductive Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 210035, China
Tieling Bai: Family Planning and Reproductive Health Instructing Center of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Yinchuan 750000, China
Junxian Zhang: Family Planning Publicity and Education Technical Advising Center of Urumchi, Urumchi 830092, China
Yuyan Li: Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation of National Population and Family Planning Commission, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Institute of Reproductive Development, Fudan University, Shanghai 210035, China

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 4, 1-18

Abstract: Objective : This study was designed to assess the prevalence of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) among an internal-migrant population of reproductive age in China. We also analyzed the knowledge, attitude, and practices related to these infections. Methods : A cross-sectional study using the quota-sampling method was conducted in three cities from March 2016 to February 2017. A total of 3320 participants (40.7% men and 59.3% women) were enrolled in the study, of whom, 1124, 1015, and 1181 were from Yinchuan, Urumchi, and Shanghai, respectively. Data on the included subjects were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Results : We found that 3.2% and 22.6% of all subjects lacked knowledge regarding the identification and prevention of RTIs, respectively. More than 80% of the participants approved of developing RTI surveillance and taking RTI-related courses. While 45.1% of the respondents changed their underwear every 2–3 days, 49.0% cleaned their genitals daily, and 34.9% reported taking a bath daily. Among contraceptive users, 47.4% and 29.7% used condoms and IUDs (intrauterine devices), respectively. Overall, 48.2% of the participants had laboratory-confirmed sexually transmitted infections, and 19.7% of the female participants had endogenous infections. After controlling the socio-demographic variables, participants who cleaned their genitals and took a bath less frequently, as well as used condoms or pills had a lower prevalence of sexually transmitted infections, while those who were unwilling to take RTI-related courses and changed their underwear less frequently were more likely to contract sexually transmitted infections. While women who were unwilling to take RTI-related courses had a lower prevalence of endogenous infections, those with more children had a higher prevalence. Conclusion : The status of RTIs among the internal-migrant population of reproductive-age is not optimistic and is related to multiple factors. We believe this study will contribute to improving the knowledge, attitude, and practices related to RTIs.

Keywords: reproductive tract infection; knowledge; attitude; and practices (K.A.P); internal migrant population; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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