Awareness of RTI/STI and HIV/AIDS among women in Kerala: a district level analysis based on DLHS-4

Authors

  • T. Radhakrishnan Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1Govt. Medical College, Thiruvananhtapuram, Kerala
  • A. Saravana Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BGS Medical College, Bangalore, Karnataka
  • P. K. Babu Department of Community Medicine, Govt. Medical College, Manjeri, Kerala

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20172188

Keywords:

RTI/STI, HIV/AIDS, Kerala, Knowledge, Women

Abstract

Background: Many of the reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted infections (RTI/STIs) are preventable and curable. Kerala is one of the highest literate states in India, but women in Kerala had very low knowledge in sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS. The objective of the present study was to assess the level of awareness on RTI/STI and HIV/AIDS among women in Kerala with inter district variations on awareness among women in RTI/STI and HIV/AIDS. Another objective of the study was to find out the association between socio economic characteristics and awareness on RTI/STI and HIV/AIDS.

Methods: Data for the present analysis comes from the district level household and facility survey-3 2007-08 (DLHS-3) and district level household and facility survey-4 (DLHS-4), 2015–16. DLHS is a nationally representative household survey, primarily conducted to monitor and evaluate the implementation of reproductive and child health program across the districts of India. To assess the level of awareness on RTI/STI and HIV/AIDS among women in Kerala with inter district variations on awareness among women in RTI/STI and HIV/AIDS data of DLHS-3 and DLHS-4 were used for analysis and to find out the association between socio economic characteristics and awareness on RTI/STI and HIV/AIDS, data of DLHS were used.

Results: Only 48% of women in Kerala had heard of RTI/STI in Kerala, but 75.8% of the women had heard about HIV/AIDS. Knowledge on RTI/STI and HIV/AIDS among women in all the districts in Kerala had fallen from the DLHS-3 to DLHS-4.

Conclusions: Decentralized field level interaction of health workers with IEC programs in both rural and urban areas regarding STIs/RTIs and HIV/AIDS should be strengthened along with effective mass media activities.

Author Biography

T. Radhakrishnan, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1Govt. Medical College, Thiruvananhtapuram, Kerala

Assistant Professor in Health Education,

Dept of Obs&Gyn, SAT Hospital, Govt. Medical COllege, 

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Published

2017-05-22

How to Cite

Radhakrishnan, T., Saravana, A., & Babu, P. K. (2017). Awareness of RTI/STI and HIV/AIDS among women in Kerala: a district level analysis based on DLHS-4. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 4(6), 2124–2131. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20172188

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Original Research Articles