Silent burden of gynecological morbidities among rural women in Southern India: Evidence from a cancer screening center
- 1Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
- 2Department of Pathology, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
- 3Professor and Dean Preventive Medicine and Public health, School of Public health, DY Patil Deemed to be University, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Abstract
Background:: Gynecological morbidities contribute significantly to the global burden of disease, yet remain underreported and undertreated, particularly among rural women in India. There is Limited evidence existing on gynecological morbidity as most studies rely on self-reported symptoms. Hence a cross-sectional study design has been used here to study the same.
Objectives:: To assess the prevalence and determinants of gynecological morbidities among women attending a community-based cancer screening center in rural Southern India.
Materials and Methods:: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 599 ever-married women attending a community cancer screening center in rural Karnataka. Data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Clinical examination, Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA), and Pap smear were performed. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with reproductive morbidities.
Results:: Only 20.3% of women reported at least one gynecological symptom, whereas clinical and cytological assessment revealed a substantially higher burden of morbidity. White vaginal discharge was the most common symptom (13.4%), while cervical infections were detected in 53.9% of participants. Uterine prolapse was observed in 8.3% of women. Eighty percent of symptomatic women had not sought prior medical care. Increasing age was associated with lower odds of cervical infection (OR = 0.56, P = 0.007) but higher odds of prolapse (OR = 2.14, P = 0.012). Illiteracy and higher parity were significantly associated with uterine prolapse.
Conclusion:: A substantial proportion of gynecological morbidity remains unrecognized due to low symptom reporting and poor health-seeking behavior. Integrating routine screening and targeted awareness interventions into primary healthcare services is essential to address this hidden burden.
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BibTeX
@article{anjum2026silent,
title = {{Silent burden of gynecological morbidities among rural women in Southern India: Evidence from a cancer screening center}},
author = {Zari Anjum and Vibha Swaroop and Neha Singh and Suma Nair},
journal = {Journal of family medicine and primary care},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_630_26},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722243},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Silent burden of gynecological morbidities among rural women in Southern India: Evidence from a cancer screening center
AU - Zari Anjum
AU - Vibha Swaroop
AU - Neha Singh
AU - Suma Nair
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Journal of family medicine and primary care
DO - 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_630_26
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722243
AB - Background:: Gynecological morbidities contribute significantly to the global burden of disease, yet remain underreported and undertreated, particularly among rural women in India. There is Limited evidence existing on gynecological morbidity as most studies rely on self-reported symptoms. Hence a cross-sectional study design has been used here to study the same. Objectives:: To assess the prevalence and determinants of gynecological morbidities among women attending a community-based cancer screening center in rural Southern India. Materials and Methods:: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 599 ever-married women attending a community cancer screening center in rural Karnataka. Data were collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Clinical examination, Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA), and Pap smear were performed. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with reproductive morbidities. Results:: Only 20.3% of women reported at least one gynecological symptom, whereas clinical and cytological assessment revealed a substantially higher burden of morbidity. White vaginal discharge was the most common symptom (13.4%), while cervical infections were detected in 53.9% of participants. Uterine prolapse was observed in 8.3% of women. Eighty percent of symptomatic women had not sought prior medical care. Increasing age was associated with lower odds of cervical infection (OR = 0.56, P = 0.007) but higher odds of prolapse (OR = 2.14, P = 0.012). Illiteracy and higher parity were significantly associated with uterine prolapse. Conclusion:: A substantial proportion of gynecological morbidity remains unrecognized due to low symptom reporting and poor health-seeking behavior. Integrating routine screening and targeted awareness interventions into primary healthcare services is essential to address this hidden burden.
SN - 2249-4863
SN - 2278-7135
ER -