Identifying Risk Factors for Lower Reproductive Tract Infections among Women Using Reusable Absorbents in Odisha, India

Padmalaya Das, Danielle Lisnek, Krushna Chandra Sahoo, Shalini Sinha, JyotiRanjan Mohanty, Pranati Sahoo, Bibiana Bilung, Bijaya Panda, Clare Tanton and Belen Torondel
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Padmalaya Das: School of Biological Sciences, AIPH University, Bhubaneswar 752101, Odisha, India
Danielle Lisnek: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Krushna Chandra Sahoo: ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar 751023, Odisha, India
Shalini Sinha: School of Biological Sciences, AIPH University, Bhubaneswar 752101, Odisha, India
JyotiRanjan Mohanty: Disease Surveillance Laboratory, Asian Institute of Public Health, Bhubaneswar 751002, Odisha, India
Pranati Sahoo: School of Biological Sciences, AIPH University, Bhubaneswar 752101, Odisha, India
Bibiana Bilung: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ispat General Hospital, Rourkela 769005, Odisha, India
Bijaya Panda: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar 751001, Odisha, India
Clare Tanton: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK
Belen Torondel: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London WC1E 7HT, UK

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: A large proportion of women in Odisha, India, use reusable absorbents to manage their menstruation. Yet, the risk factors for lower reproductive tract infections (RTIs) related to menstrual hygiene management (MHM) have not been studied among reusable absorbent users. Women of reproductive age attending one of two hospitals from two different cities in Odisha during two separate study intervals were recruited for the study. Laboratory diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis (BV) and vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) were conducted. A questionnaire was used to collect information on MHM practices, water, sanitation, and socio-demographic factors. Among the 509 women who used reusable absorbents, 71.7% were diagnosed with at least one infection. After adjusting for confounders, women with BV were more likely to identify as being a housewife (aOR: 1.8 (1.1–2.9)). Frequent absorbent changing was protective against BV (aOR: 0.5 (0.3–0.8)), whereas frequent body washing increased the odds of BV (aOR: 1.5 (1.0–2.2)). Women with VVC were more likely to be older (aOR: 1.6 (1.0–2.5)), live below the poverty line (aOR: 1.5 (1.1–2.2)), have a non-private household latrine (aOR: 2.2 (1.3–4.0)), dry their absorbents inside the house (aOR: 3.7 (2.5–4.5)), and store absorbents in the latrine area (aOR: 2.0 (1.3–2.9)). Washing absorbents outside the house was protective against VVC (aOR: 0.7 (0.4–1.0)). This study highlights the importance of improving MHM practices among reusable absorbent users to prevent lower RTIs among women reusing menstrual materials in Odisha.

Keywords: menstrual hygiene management; reusable absorbents; bacterial vaginosis; candidiasis; reproductive tract infections (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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