Prevalence of self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among women attending a primary health centre of rural Puducherry South India.

Research question: To describe the profile of women patients seeking care for STI symptoms in a Primary Health Centre (PHC) of rural Puducherry India. Settings: Hospital based study. Study design: Retrospective record review. Methodology: Secondary data analysis was done using OPD (Out-Patient Department) registers of the PHC. The data pertained to the period January to December 2011. All necessary precautions were taken to maintain patient confidentiality. Data were extracted into excel spreadsheets and descriptive analysis was done. Results: A total of 41787 new female patients attended OPD of the PHC for any illness during the year 2011. Out of these 409 patients presented with STI symptoms. Thus the prevalence of self-reported STI among female patients attending the OPD was 0.01%. Conclusion: The prevalence of STI symptoms among women attending OPD of the PHC was very low. There is a need to strengthen awareness generating activities to help women seek early care for STI related problems.