الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The study of reproductive tract infections (RTIs) among Egyptian women is considered important because their prevalence rate in developing countries is thought to be high compared to that existing in the more developed countries. A community-based study utilizing a standardized questionnaire was done by Hassan et al. (1999) to detect the prevalence of RTIs in Dakahlia Governorate. The previous study reported a high prevalence of RTIs among females in the different age groups. 38.2% of interviewed women had symptoms of RTIs in the preceding two months and 64.5% of them had ever experienced one or more of the symptoms in the past. The present work is a clinic-based study to know the prevalence of RTIs among women in Dakahlia Governorate. This study was conducted on 500 women attending Gynaecological Out-patient Clinic, Mansoura University Hospital. The studied women were subjected to thorough history taking, clinical examination and laboratory investigations to diagnose the commonest organisms causing RTIs (Gardnerella vaginalis, trichomonas vaginalis, candida, chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis). The most important findings of the study are:- ” Analysis of the sociodemographic characteristics of our studied females showed that 87% were below the age of 50 years and 13% above 50. Primary and preparatory education represented the commonest education level 35.8% followed by secondary education 33%. - Females working for cash represented about 40% of studied group. Also 58% of women married before the age of 20 years especially among rural areas. ” Abnormal vaginal discharge related to RTIs represented the most common reported symptoms among studied group (55%). ” The prevalence of RTIs among studied group was 13.8% for trichomoniasis 16.8% for candida infection, 11.8% for gardnerella vaginalis infection, 5.4% for chlamydial infection, and 0% for both gonorrhoea and syphilis. ” About 53.4% of the studied women had no infections by studied organisms. ” In the present study, there was statistically significant relationship between the prevalence of RTIs and the age of women (the prevalence was higher among female group below 50 years 50.3%), the marital status of the women (it was more commonly encountered in currently married group 48.8%) and educational level (common in low educational state). ” We found a statistically significant relationship between the prevalence of RTIs and frequency of sexual intercourse (it was high among women practicing sexual intercourse more than 3 times 57.3%) and menstrual hygienic practices. On the other hand, the prevalence of RTIs was lower among females practicing vaginal washing more than 3 times per week (45.8%) but this difference was statistically not significant. ” In our study prevalence of RTIs was significantly increased by increased gravidity and parity, but there was insignificant relationship between it and mode of deliveries and numbers of abortions.