Perception of Vaginal Discharge and Care Seeking Behaviour among Obstetric and Gynaecological Clinic Attendees in Abakaliki, Southeastern Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: Vaginal discharge is a major complaint among women attending gynaecological clinics. While some seek treatment services for the symptom, others just tolerate it despite the associated long term disabilities. Aims and Objective: This study assessed the perception of vaginal discharge and care seeking behavior among women in Ebonyi State. Materials and Methods: Yhis is a descriptive cross sectional study of women visiting obstetric and gynaecological clinic of Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, between 1st April and 31st August 2010.The data was analyzed using EPI-info 3.3.2 and results presented in tabular forms as frequencies and percentages. Result: The age of the 163 participants ranged between 18 and 52 years with a mean of 29.6 + 6.8 years. Majority of participants 68(41.7%) had tertiary education while eight (4.9%) had no formal education. Seventy nine (48.5%) had experienced abnormal vaginal discharge. Over 64% of them attributed vaginal discharge to dirty toilet seats and 13 (16.5 %) to sexual intercourse. Associated symptom in most cases was vulval itching (74.7%) while coital bleeding was the least (3.8%). Majority felt sad 35(44.3%) about having the symptom, eight (10.1%) thought it normal. Only Fifty- four (68.4%) of the participants who experienced vaginal discharge consulted a doctor, Six (7.6%) ignored the symptoms. Most of the patients, 36 (45. 6%), believed infertility is a possible consequence. EMJ 2010; 9(2): 101-105 Conclusion: The relative high educational attainment of the participants and their paradoxical poor knowledge about the causes of vaginal discharge underscore the need to incorporate reproductive health education into secondary schools curriculum in Nigeria.

Keywords: Vaginal discharge, antenatal, perception, health