Despite being curable
reproductive tract infections (RTIs) including
sexually transmitted infections continue to be a major health problem in developing countries. The present study was undertaken to know the prevalence of
trichomoniasis, vaginal
candidiasis, genital herpes, chlamydiasis, and
actinomycosis in rural and urban women of Haryana by using wet mount, PAP smear, and fluorescent microscopic examination. Patients suspected of suffering from
bacterial vaginosis were given treatment and were not included in the study. RTIs were seen in 16.6% of urban and 28.7% of rural women. The highest prevalence seen was that of
trichomoniasis in both rural (24.2%) and urban (15.7%) women, followed by
candidiasis (4.2% in rural and 0.6% in urban women),
genital herpes (0.3% in rural and 0.2% in urban women), and chlamydiasis (0.02% in rural and 0.05% in urban women). Pelvic
actinomycosis was seen in 1.4% of rural and 0.06% of urban women using
intrauterine contraceptive devices.
Mixed infection of Trichomonas vaginalis with Candida spp. was seen in 6.3% of rural women only. It is desirable to have a baseline profile of the prevalence of various agents causing RTIs in a particular geographic area and population which will help in better syndromic management of the patients.