Abstract
BACKGROUND: Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) are a major health problem among women of the reproductive age group in India. Most of them are incompetent to handle their sexual and reproductive health needs. Enabling them with the knowledge and ability to recognize their own symptoms will prompt them to seek treatment and lessen the complications. This study determined the effectiveness of an Information, Motivation, and Behavior skills (IMB) program on the knowledge, practices, skills, and health-seeking behaviors of RTIs among women of reproductive age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A quasi-experimental design was used. Ninety-nine married women who had experienced any two symptoms of RTIs in the last 3 months preceding data collection were selected using a disproportionate random sampling technique. Knowledge, practices, skills, and health-seeking behaviors were assessed before and at the end of the third and sixth months following the administration of the IMB program in the intervention group. SPSS version 16 was used for data analysis, and the effectiveness was determined using repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Both the intervention and comparison groups were homogenous with regard to the socio-personal variables and baseline scores of the outcome variables. Significant improvement was observed in the knowledge (P < 0.001), practice (P = 0.002), and skill (P < 0.001) scores of the women in the intervention group and not in their health-seeking behavior scores (P = 0.830). CONCLUSION: The IMB program is an effective strategy for improving the knowledge, practice, and skills of the women on RTIs and can be utilized by nursing officers.