Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-j824f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T15:30:49.461Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

EXPLORING KNOWLEDGE AND HEALTH-SEEKING BEHAVIOUR RELATED TO SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS AMONG THE TRIBAL POPULATION OF MADHYA PRADESH, CENTRAL INDIA

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 April 2012

V. G. RAO
Affiliation:
Regional Medical Research Centre for Tribals, Indian Council of Medical Research, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
K. B. SAHA
Affiliation:
Regional Medical Research Centre for Tribals, Indian Council of Medical Research, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
J. BHAT
Affiliation:
Regional Medical Research Centre for Tribals, Indian Council of Medical Research, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
B. K. TIWARY
Affiliation:
Regional Medical Research Centre for Tribals, Indian Council of Medical Research, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
A. ABBAD
Affiliation:
Regional Medical Research Centre for Tribals, Indian Council of Medical Research, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India

Summary

This community-based cross-sectional study was carried out in the tribal population of randomly selected villages of Jabalpur district, Madhya Pradesh, central India. A total of 200 married men and women aged 15–49 years were interviewed to explore their knowledge, experience and health-seeking behaviour related to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Though 91% of respondents were aware of STIs, the sexual route was mentioned by only 19% as the route of transmission. Around 18% reported a need for social isolation from persons with STIs. Though 88% of the respondents felt modern medicine was the best remedy for STIs, only a few of them used medical treatment while suffering from an STI. Twenty-seven per cent of respondents resorted to traditional healers, and 30% utilized home remedies for STI treatment. The study highlights a need for generating STI awareness amongst the tribal population of the region through a needs-based behaviour change communication (BCC) strategy.

Type
Short Report
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2008) Sexually Transmitted Infections in Developing Countries. Current Concepts and Strategies on Improving STI Prevention, Treatment, and Control. URL: http://go.worldbank.org/4LJ1038UG0.Google Scholar
Lewis, J. J., Garnett, G. P., Nyamukapa, C. A., Donnelly, C. A., Mason, P. R. & Gregson, S. (2005) Patterns of uptake of treatment for self reported sexually transmitted infection symptoms in rural Zimbabwe. Sexually Transmitted Infections 81(4), 326332.Google Scholar
Mohammad, A. (2005) STDs and the tribal population. Indian Journal of Sexually Transmitted Diseases 26(1), 1722.Google Scholar
Rao, V. G., Anvikar, A., Savargaonkar, D., Bhat, J., Yadav, R., Tiwary, B. K. & Abbad, A. (2009) Prevalence of sexually transmitted disease syndromes in tribal population of central India. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 63, 805806.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Thappa, D. M. & Kaimal, S. (2007) Sexually transmitted infections in India: current status (except human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Indian Journal of Dermatology 52(2), 7882.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Voeten, H. A., O'Hara, H. B., Kusimba, J., Otido, J. M., Ndinya-Achola, J. O., Bwayo, J. J. et al. (2004) Gender differences in health care-seeking behavior for sexually transmitted diseases: a population-based study in Nairobi, Kenya. Sexually Transmitted Diseases 31(5), 265272.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed