A Community Based Study to Assess Leucorrhoea and Associated Factors of Leucorrhoea Among Women of Reproductive Age Group (15-45years) in Selected Slums of Ludhiana, Punjab

A community based exploratory study was conducted on women of reproductive age group (15-45years) in selected slums of Ludhiana, Punjab, to assess leucorrhoea and associated factors of leucorrhoea. Material and Methods: Tool consisted of three parts; demographic data, rating scale to assess leucorrhoea and checklist to assess associated factors of leucorrhoea which further included five factors i.e. personal hygiene, menstrual hygiene, hygiene of husband, contraceptives and mode of delivery. 150 women with leucorrhoea were selected by purposive sampling technique. Results: 38% of women of reproductive age group (15-45 years) were in age group 15-20 years, and were illiterate (96.67%), majority (86.67%) of women's husband were illiterate. More than half (52%) of women were housewives, 57.33% were Muslim, majority (76.67%) were from joint family, majority (91.33%) were in 1501-3500/- Rs/month income group and nearly half (42%) of women had parity more than three. More than half (60%) of women had severe leucorrhoea. 94.67% women of reproductive age group (15-45 years) had strong association with selected associated factors of leucorrhoea. Use of contraceptives and mode of delivery showed statistically significant relationship with leucorrhoea. Statistically significant relationship was found in leucorrhoea for age, education, husband's education, type of family and parity. Conclusion: A significant association of leucorrhoea with age, education, husband's education, type of family, parity, use of contraceptives and mode of delivery in the present study emphasized the need of health education related to leucorrhoea and associated factors.