Symptoms of gynecological morbidity and their treatment in southern India: results from a community based study.

This article presents an analysis of self-reported symptoms of gynecological problems among 3600 recent mothers in Karnataka State India. Approximately 1/3 of all women reported at least one current symptom; the most common of these were feeling of weakness and tiredness (suggestive of anemia); menstrual disorders white/colored vaginal discharge (suggestive of lower reproductive tract infection); and lower abdominal pain and/or discharge with fever (suggestive of acute pelvic inflammatory disease). Obstetric morbidity associated with the last live birth was strongly predictive of current gynecological symptoms. Women who delivered their last child in private institutions were significantly less likely to report symptoms than those delivered at home or in a government hospital. Non-users or users of reversible contraceptive methods were also less likely to report morbid conditions than sterilized women. These associations persisted after controlling for potentially confounding economic and demographic characteristics and have far-reaching policy implications. (authors modified)