Association between unhygienic menstrual management practices and prevalence of lower reproductive tract infections in rural community of Kilolo District, Tanzania

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> <bold>Introduction:</bold> This study aimed to determine whether poor menstrual hygiene practices were associated with common infections of the lower reproductive tract mainly Bacterial vaginosis (BV) and Candida. <bold>Method</bold>: Methodology included non-pregnant women of reproductive age (14–45 years) attending the four selected health. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect information on: MHM practices and socio-economic and demographic information. Specimens from posterior vaginal fornix were collected using swabs for diagnosis of BV and Candida infection. <bold>Results:</bold> The results showed that; A total of 207 women were recruited for the study of whom 37.2 % were diagnosed with the tested lower reproductive tract infections. After adjustment for potentially confounding factors, women diagnosed with RTIs infection were more likely to use reusable absorbent material (P&lt;0.001) and practice lower frequency of personal washing (P=0.004)On multivariate analysis finds point that being not married is associated with a higher likelihood of having an RTI and Changing absorbents only once a day is associated with a higher likelihood of having an RTI. <bold>Conclusion:</bold> In conclusion, the study findings highlight the critical role of absorbent changing frequency in the incidence of reproductive tract infections (RTIs). Specifically, changing absorbents only once a day is significantly associated with a higher likelihood of developing an RTI compared to more frequent changes. This underscores the importance of proper hygiene practices in preventing RTIs.