STUDY ON LOWER GENITAL TRACT INFECTIONS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG POSTMENOPAUSAL WOMEN IN DA NANG CITY
Keywords:
Lower genital tract infections, Postmenopausal women, Da Nang cityAbstract
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of lower genital tract infections among postmenopausal women in Da Nang City and to identify factors associated with LGTIs in this population. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 850 women who had undergone natural menopause. Participants were interviewed and clinically examined at 17 primary healthcare stations in 17 wards of Da Nang City between August and October 2023. Data collection included a structured questionnaire, gynecological examination, vaginal pH measurement, and microbiological analysis of vaginal discharge to identify LGTIs and related factors. Multistage cluster sampling was applied. Results: The overall prevalence of lower genital tract infections among postmenopausal women was 27.1%. Bacterial infections accounted for 19.1% of cases, while Candida infections accounted for 8.0%. A statistically significant association was found between age group and menopausal duration with the type of lower genital tract infection (p < 0.05). Conclusion: LGTIs rate is relatively high among postmenopausal women in Da Nang City. Targeted screening, prevention, and management strategies are considered to improve quality of life in this population.
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