A COMMUNITY STUDY OF GYNECOLOGICAL AND RELATED MORBIDITIES IN RURAL EGYPT

This study assesses the prevalence of gynecological and related morbid ity conditions in a rural Egyptian community. A medical examination wa s conducted on a sample of 509 ever-married, nonpregnant women. For gy necological morbidities, genital prolapse was diagnosed in 56 percent, reproductive tract infections in 52 percent, and abnormal cervical ce ll changes in 11 percent of the women. For related morbidities, anemia was present in 63 percent of the women, followed by obesity (43 perce nt), hypertension (18 percent), and urinary tract infection (14 percen t). Regression analysis of risk factors demonstrated the contribution of social conditions and medical factors to these diseases. Reproducti ve tract infections were shown to occur more frequently with uterovagi nal prolapse, IUD use, presence of husband (regular sexual activity), and unhygienic behavior. Genital prolapse increased with age and numbe r of deliveries. Age, recent pregnancy, education, socioeconomic class , and workload showed significant associations with related morbidity conditions. This evidence challenges national health programs to go be yond safe motherhood, child survival, and family planning in its servi ces to women, and to consider the social context of health as well.