Abstract: Objective To investigate the prevalence of reproductive tract infection （RTI） among elderly women in urban communities, and to analyze the related factors influencing their healthcare-seeking behaviors.Methods The stratified cluster sampling method was used to select elderly women in Nanjing for RTI and related factors questionnaire surveys and routine gynecological examinations. Descriptive epidemiological analysis was used to analyze the status of RTI and healthcare-seeking behaviors. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to analyze the influencing factors of healthcare-seeking behavior.Results A total of 3 270 Nanjing community women ≥60 years old were surveyed, aged 60-88 years old, with an average age of （68.78 ± 5.24） years. The education level was mainly junior high school, high school/secondary specialized school （2 092, accounting for 64.0%）. Among them, 1 897 cases had at least one symptom related to RTI who in the past 3 months, the incidence rate was 58.01%; 916 cases were diagnosed as RTI, the prevalence rate was 28.01%, and the rate of healthcare-seeking was 59.93% （549/916）. Multivariate analysis showed that the elderly women with RTI were married （OR=1.253）, had more than 2 children （OR=2.765）, college education or above （OR=3.056）, annual family income ≥50 000 yuan （OR=2.428）, a history of RTI （OR=2.522）, medical insurance （OR=4.609）, and a higher score of knowledge of RTI （OR=4.477）, had higher possibility of healthcare-seeking.Conclusion RTI has a high incidence rate among elderly women in urban communities, and the rate of healthcare-seeking is low. Their healthcare-seeking behaviors are mainly affected by factors such as education level, economic status, and knowledge of RTI.

Key words: Reproductive tract infection, Healthcare-seeking behavior, Vaginitis, Elderly women, Influencing factor