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Perceptions and attitudes in relation to reproductive tract infections including sexually transmitted infections in rural Vietnam: A qualitative study

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  • Lan, Pham Thi
  • Faxelid, Elisabeth
  • Chuc, Nguyen Thi Kim
  • Mogren, Ingrid
  • Lundborg, Cecilia Stålsby

Abstract

Objective To explore perceptions, attitudes and health-seeking patterns for reproductive tract infections including sexually transmitted infections (RTI/STI) among men and women in rural Vietnam.Method Ten focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with 46 women and 27 men aged 15-49 in Bavi district, northern Vietnam. A pre-designed discussion guide was used during the discussions. Content analysis was applied for data analysis. Each sentence/paragraph was coded. Similar codes were clustered and collapsed into sub-categories and categories. Two main themes 'community perceptions of RTI/STI' and 'attitudes towards RTI/STI' were created, based on the relationship between categories.Findings Complex terminology with many different terms was used by participants to describe and discuss RTI/STI. "Inflammation" [RTI], Gonorrhoea, Syphilis was described as three stages of STI. Health-seeking patterns for RTI/STI were reported to differ between men and women: self-medication was mentioned as a common practice among women, while men were more likely to seek health care from private providers. Complaints were voiced about clinicians' negative attitudes towards RTI/STI patients.Conclusion Rural dwellers in a district of Vietnam expressed a variety of misconceptions regarding RTI/STI. Designing health education strategies to provide comprehensive RTI/STI information to the community and improving communication between RTI/STI patients and clinicians are urgently needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Lan, Pham Thi & Faxelid, Elisabeth & Chuc, Nguyen Thi Kim & Mogren, Ingrid & Lundborg, Cecilia Stålsby, 2008. "Perceptions and attitudes in relation to reproductive tract infections including sexually transmitted infections in rural Vietnam: A qualitative study," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(2-3), pages 308-317, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:86:y:2008:i:2-3:p:308-317
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Go, Vivian Fei-ling & Quan, Vu Minh & Chung, A & Zenilman, Jonathan & Hanh, Vu Thi Minh & Celentano, David, 2002. "Gender gaps, gender traps: sexual identity and vulnerability to sexually transmitted diseases among women in Vietnam," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 55(3), pages 467-481, August.
    2. Bond, Virginia & Ndubani, Phillimon, 1997. "The difficulties of compiling a glossary of diseases associated with sexual intercourse in Chiawa, Rural Zambia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 44(8), pages 1211-1220, April.
    3. Khe, N. D. & Toan, N. V. & Xuan, L. T. T. & Eriksson, B. & Hojer, B. & Diwan, V. K., 2002. "Primary health concept revisited: Where do people seek health care in a rural area of Vietnam?," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 95-109, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Shuangfei Xu & Chuanning Yu & Ying Zhou & Junqing Wu & Tieling Bai & Junxian Zhang & Yuyan Li, 2019. "The Prevalence of Reproductive Tract Infections in a Chinese Internal Migrant Population, and Its Correlation with Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-18, February.

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