A Validity study of WHO Diagnostic Algorithm for Reproductive Tract Infections Among Reproductive Age Group women in Urban field practice Area in Hubli, Karnataka, India

Reproductive tract infections (RTIs), both sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and non-sexually transmitted infections (non-STIs), are a global health problem. Research question: What is the sensitivity and specificity of World Health Organization (WHO's) syndromic approach in diagnosing Reproductive Tract Infections? Objectives: To test the validity of WHO diagnostic algorithm in diagnosing RTIs among reproductive age group women.

Using a simple random sampling technique to select households, data was collected on RTIs, from 656 women of 15 - 45 years, residing in field practice area. This was followed by clinical examination by the doctor and samples were collected for laboratory tests in Urban Health Training Centre (UHTC), attached to Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Hubli.

The sensitivity and specificity of syndromic approach, based on symptoms to diagnose any RTI was 71.5% and 75.9% respectively, while clinical examination had 78.2% sensitivity and 83.9% specificity. The net sensitivity and specificity of syndromic approach based on symptoms and clinical examination was 89% and 95% respectively. An improvement in sensitivity was observed when RTIs were diagnosed by both symptoms and clinical examination.

The net sensitivity and specificity increased when syndromic approach based on symptoms and clinical examination was used for diagnosis of RTI.