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Urinary and reproductive tract infection symptoms and menstrual hygiene practices in refugee camps in Jordan: A cross-sectional study

Joud Al Karmi, M. Alshrouf, Tala A. Haddad, Abdulrahman E. Alhanbali, N. Raiq, Hadeel H. Ghanem, O. Ibrahim, Tala Khamis et al.

Women's Health, 2024

387 participants · 14 citations

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infections and reproductive tract infections pose significant health risks, particularly among women living in challenging conditions. Unhygienic menstrual practices can exacerbate these risks, impacting physical and psychological well-being. Objectives: This study assessed the association between unhygienic menstrual care and self-reported urinary tract infection/reproductive tract infection symptoms among refugee women. In addition, it explored the association between these symptoms and mental health, specifically depressive symptoms. Design: This study adopted a cross-sectional observational design. Methods: This study was conducted between January and March 2023, involving 387 reproductive-age refugee women. Data collected included sociodemographic information and urinary tract infection/reproductive tract infection symptoms. In addition, we used the Menstrual Practice Needs Scale to evaluate menstrual hygiene practices and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depressive symptoms. Statistical analysis was performed using Python version 3.9.12. Results: Of 387 refugee women, 92.25% reported having urinary or reproductive tract infection symptoms in the previous 3 months. Factors like older age (odds ratio = 1.764, 95% confidence interval = 1.083–2.873, p-value = 0.023), lower family income (odds ratio = 0.327, 95% confidence interval = 0.138–0.775, p-value = 0.011), lower educational level (odds ratio = 0.222, 95% confidence interval =…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 387 participants or records.

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