Prevalence and Knowledge of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease among Women of Childbearing age in Narayi Community, Kaduna state

Abstract

Background: Pelvic inlammatory disease (PID) is a major reproductive health problem associated with infertility, ectopic
pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain, particularly in low‑ and middle‑income settings where sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
remain prevalent. This study assessed the prevalence and level of knowledge of PID among women of childbearing age in Narayi
community, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Methods: A community‑based cross‑sectional descriptive and analytical design was employed. Data were collected from 355
women aged 15–55 years using a structured questionnaire capturing socio‑demographic characteristics, self‑reported history
of doctor‑diagnosed PID, symptoms, knowledge, and selected risk factors. Descriptive statistics and chi‑square tests were used
for analysis at a 5% level of signiicance.
Results: The lifetime prevalence of self‑reported doctor‑diagnosed PID was 76.3% (95% CI: 71.6–80.4%), which may overesti‑
mate the true prevalence due to recall bias and diagnostic ambiguity. The most commonly reported symptoms were abnormal
vaginal discharge (51.5%) and lower abdominal/pelvic pain (46.5%). Respondents demonstrated relatively high knowledge
(mean score: 5.66 ± 0.94). PID diagnosis was signiicantly associated with age, history of STI treatment, miscarriage/abortion,
vaginal douching, other infections, and condom use (???? < 0.05).
Conclusion: The indings highlight a high burden of self‑reported PID and a gap between knowledge and preventive practices.
Strengthening STI prevention, improving access to reproductive health services, and addressing behavioral risk factors are es‑
sential to reduce PID burden.