Awareness of STI and HIV among Indian Women: New Evidences from DLHS-4 | Author : Jai Kishun, Vinay K Gupta | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are important cause of infertility in men and women. Some STIs increase the risk of HIV acquisition and transmission by three-fold or more. In 2011, 12% of females and 6% of males in India reportedly suffered from STIs. The total number of people living with HIV/AIDS in India was estimated at around 20.9 lakh in 2011, 39% of which were women. It is, therefore, important that population, especially women in reproductive age, should be aware of STI/RTI and HIV/AIDS. The aim of this study is to assess the awareness of STI/RTI and HIV/AIDS among ever married women in India and also to highlight their sociodemographic and economic correlates from District Level Household and Facility Survey (DLHS)-4 data.
Methodology: Data from 319,695 ever married women aged 15–49 years from 21 states/UTs of India, who participated in the DLHS-4 was considered. Chi-square and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed for analysis.
Results: Overall around 25% of women had heard of RTIs/STIs, whereas 66% had heard about HIV/AIDS. Adjusted analysis indicated that all the variables that were considered, viz., type of locality, caste, age, education of women and of their husbands, socioeconomic group, religion, marital status and water resource and toilet facilities used were significantly associated with awareness of STI and HIV.
Conclusions: Awareness of STI and HIV is still low among women in India. Comprehensive awareness programs and interventions are needed focusing on women, who are less educated and who are economically disadvantaged. |
| A Community-Based Study of Coverage and Determinants of Immunization in Children Aged 1 to 3 Years in a Rural Population of Muzaffarnagar | Author : Pradeep Kumar Choudhary, Nirankar Singh, Sanjeev Davey, Santosh Kumar Raghav | Abstract | Full Text | Abstract :Background: The year 2012-13 was declared as ‘Year of intensification of Routine Immunization (IRI) in India’. As per CES, DLHS and AHS, full immunization for the children of age group of 12–23 months of Uttar Pradesh is 30.2 (DLHS 2007), 40.9 (CES 2009) and 45.3 (AHS 2010-11). Studies have been done to assess the primary immunization status, i.e., BCG, OPV3, DTP3 and measles. Data on the booster doses and additional vaccine is insufficient.
Objectives: To assess the status of full Immunization, complete immunization and the status of immunization with regard to different vaccine and reasons for partial and no immunization.
Design and Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was done (1stApril 2015 to 31st march 2016) in the field practice area of rural health and training center (RHTC) of Muzaffarnagar Medical College, Muzaffarnagar. 50% of the villages, i.e., 2 villages (Bilaspur, Shernagar) were selected by simple random sampling technique and the age group selected was one to three years of age. The data was analyzed using MS Excel sheet and the software used was software Epi-info version 7.1.3.
Results and Conclusion: Full immunization in the age group of children between 12 and 23 months was 66% with antigen coverage maximum for BCG (93%) and lowest for measles (68%). Reason for partial and unimmunized children was majorly due to non-availability of vaccine at the center followed by fear of AEFI. Complete immunization in the age group between 24 and 36 months was 46% with MCV 2 coverage being the lowest (33%). Full immunization in the age group of 24–36 months is significantly more than 12–23 months age group. Tendency is to have less and less immunization as the age of the child grows (P<0.05). |
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