Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39502817›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in public health2024

Women's self-reported symptoms of reproductive tract infection, medical consultations, and factors influencing them in less developed regions: perimenopausal and older women in need of urgent attention.

Ruoyi Zhang, Dan Kang, Siyuan Yang, Dehua Hu, Li Bai, Yongping Ao, Jiaojiao Chen, Yuxian Nie, Xiaowei Zhao, Wei Xu and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in public health, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Ruoyi Zhang *School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Dan Kang *School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Siyuan YangSchool of Nursing, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Dehua HuMaternal and Child Health, The Maternity Service Centre of Lueyang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Lueyang, China.
Li BaiMaternal and Child Health, The Maternity Service Centre of Lueyang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Lueyang, China.
Yongping AoSchool of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Jiaojiao ChenSchool of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Yuxian NieState Key Laboratory of Ultrasound in Medicine and Engineering, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Xiaowei ZhaoMaternal and Child Health, The Maternity Service Centre of Lueyang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Lueyang, China.
Wei XuSchool of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
Qiuling ShiSchool of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) represent a critical public health concern impacting women's health, particularly pronounced in developing countries. We aim to investigates the prevalence of self-reported RTI symptoms in women aged 18 to 65 and the factors influencing gynecological examination behavior and associated risks are explored. Methods: From May 6, 2022, to September 20, 2022, a comprehensive survey engaged 20,864 women aged 18 to 65 in 19 townships in Lueyang, Shaanxi. Each survey team, comprising a gynecologist, two female health center staff, and a master's student, conducted face-to-face questionnaire surveys in villages and households. The questionnaire featured three sections: prevalence of self-reported RTI symptoms, gynecological examination history, and factors influencing examination behavior. Results: The high response rate of 98.69% yielded 20,590 valid questionnaires. Among surveyed women, 42.04% reported RTI symptoms, with a higher prevalence in those aged 30 and above, peaking at 44.88% in the 50-59 age group. Vulvar itching (24.73%), abnormal vaginal discharge (17.41%), and urinary tract irritation signs (11.73%) were most common. Older adult women (≥60) reported higher frequency and longer duration of symptoms. Only 9.88% of symptomatic women underwent gynecological examinations in 2022. Examination likelihood decreased with age, presenting a critical gap in healthcare utilization among older women. Reasons for checkups included routine checkups (47.02%), symptom concerns (41.29%), and the availability of free medical checkup programs (9.82%). Barriers included perceived lack of serious symptoms (23.7%), lack of necessity (4.41%) and lack of time (3.98%). Among those examined, 40.58% had a diagnosis of gynecological disorders, including pelvic inflammatory disease, human papilloma virus infection and cervical cancer. Conclusion: Widespread RTI symptoms, particularly in perimenopausal and older women, underscore the need for enhanced healthcare. Barriers to gynecological examinations include awareness, education, and accessibility issues. Strategies must prioritize health education, routine examinations, and improved healthcare infrastructure in underdeveloped regions.

Indexed as

PerimenopauseReproductive Tract InfectionsSelf ReportAdolescentAdultAgedChinaDeveloping CountriesFemaleGynecological ExaminationHumansMiddle AgedPrevalenceReferral and ConsultationSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung Adultgynecological examinationsreproductive tract infection (RTI)self-reported symptomsunderdeveloped regionswomen’s health

Identifiers

PMID39502817
PMCPMC11534611

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.