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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

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