Abstract

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are a common health issue among youths, often leading to discomfort and potential complications if not properly managed. Despite their prevalence, there is limited research on the knowledge and preventive practices related to UTIs among youths in educational settings, particularly at Bilingual Grammar School (BGS) Molyko. Understanding these aspects is crucial for developing effective health interventions. This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge on UTIs and the preventive practices adopted by youths at BGS Molyko. The research sought to identify gaps in knowledge and practices that could be addressed to reduce the incidence of UTIs among this population.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 200 conveniently sampled students aged 15-21 years at BGS Molyko. Data were collected using a pre tested semi-structured questionnaires that covered demographic information, knowledge about UTIs, and preventive practices. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, which was presented in frequencies and percentages on tables.

The study revealed that, 120(60%) of the participants were between the ages of 15 and 18 years old while 130(65%) were in high school.            80% of participants demonstrated adequate awareness of UTI risk factors, with poor hygiene (80%), wiping back to front (70%), and holding urine for too long (75%) being the most recognized. Pain during urination was the most identified symptom (90%), followed by frequent urination (80%) and blood in urine (60%), with 90% overall recognizing symptoms. Severe kidney infection was the most acknowledged complication (75%), while 85% recognized antibiotics and 80% acknowledged drinking much water as effective treatments. Preventive practices were widely adopted, with 85% practicing good hygiene and drinking water, and 75% avoiding holding urine.

The study revealed that most of the participants had good knowledge on UTI and also good prevention practices. However, a few of the participants were lacking in the both knowledge and practices. Hence, recommendations such as targeted health interventions on UTIs were made amongst others.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND 

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections in girls and mostly in children and is considered as one of the most important health indicators of communities (Kaufman et al., 2019). Urinary Tract Infection refers to the inflammatory disorders of the urinary tract caused by the abnormal growth of pathogens (O Amali et al., 2009). It is a term used for a wide range of clinical disorders, from asymptomatic bacteriuria to kidneys infection and sepsis. In more than 80% of cases, UTI is caused by a bacterium that the most commonly responsible organism for this bacterium is E coli which is part of the normal flora of the intestine (Leung et al.,2019).

The high prevalence of infection, the likelihood of recurrence of the disease, the variety of clinical symptoms in different age groups followed by the difficulty of clinical and laboratory diagnosis, the resistance of the causative agent to antibiotics and the long-term serious complications in girls, have caused the infection of the urinary system to be of special importance (Okarska et al., 2017).  Moreover, UTIs can either be symptomatic or asymptomatic and are linked with serious obstetric complications and poor maternal and neonatal outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, sepsis, maternal anaemia, pyelonephritis, preeclampsia, amnionitis, and neonatal deaths (Gilbert et al., 2022; Dimetry et al., 2018). Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are timely and critical to prevent complications (Smaill and Vazquez, 2019).

Factors such as poor personal hygiene or sexual intercourse would cause the organisms to travel up the urethra and may likewise contaminate the urinary bladder. Urinary tract infection (UTI) is also defined as microbial infiltration of the otherwise sterile urinary tract. Eventually, when infection in urinary system is not treated, infected individuals may only show rather vague symptoms and may cause numerous complications (WHO, 2016). The infection may encompass complications such as infection of the urethra (known as urethritis), bladder (known as cystitis), prostate (known as prostatitis) and kidney known as pyelonephritis.

Urinary tract infection is the second most common infectious presentation in community medical practice. Worldwide about 150 million people are diagnosed with UTI each year. It is much more common in women than in men, due to anatomical and physiological reasons; by virtue of its position, urinogenital tract is more vulnerable to bacterial infections caused by both internal and external flora (Maripandi et al., 2010). About 3% of all women in the United States visit a physician at least once each year for UTIs, and at least 50% of women report at least one Urinary tract infection in life time (Nicolle et al., 2006). Urinary tract infection can lead to renal scars and if undiagnosed, leads to permanent renal damage causing hypertension or end stage renal disease.

A study conducted in Cameroon revealed that the 235 urine specimens that were cultured and analyzed, uropathogens were recovered from 137 (58.3%), with prevalence rates in Buea and Bamenda being 65.9% and 54% respectively. Predominant pathogens were Escherichia coli (31.4%), Klebsiella oxytoca (25.5%) and Staphylococcus (24.1%). The 20–39 years age group had the highest prevalence of infection. As a result, this study aimed at assessing knowledge and preventive practices associated with urinary tract infections amongst youths in Bilingual Grammar School (BGS) Molyko.

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT 

A urinary tract infection is bacterial infection that can affect any part of the urinary tract. They are a common problem amongst youths. About 40% of all youths have at least one such infection and this may be due to factors such as poor hygiene, dysfunctional voiding pattern, inadequate intake of water, infrequent passage of urine, unhygienic school toilets, improper teachings regarding menstrual hygiene and many others that could be prevented if they had the necessary knowledge. Moreover, these UTI could lead to complications such as kidney damage, sepsis, infertility amongst others.

While on clinical placement, the researcher noticed that most cases that presented with Urinary tract infections were youths. It’s therefore because of this reasons that the investigator felt the need to conduct a study to investigate if the students have knowledge on risk factors and preventive measures of urinary tract infections and if they do have knowledge on UTI, the researcher seeks to investigate their level of awareness on risk factors and preventions of urinary tract infections.

1.3 RATIONALE 

With the high prevalence of UTI amongst youth, it is necessary to carry out studies that can help create awareness of the disease and also reduce the incidence and prevent complications especially in youths who might not be very much aware of the disease.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS 

1. What knowledge do youths in BGS Molyko have on Urinary Tract infections
2. What are the preventive practices carried out by youths in BGS Molyko to fight against Urinary Tract infections?

1.6 Objective of the study

1.6.1 General objective 

The general objective of this study was to assess the knowledge and prevention practices of youths in BGS Molyko on urinary tract infection.

1.6.2 Specific objectives 

1. To assess the knowledge of youths in BGS Molyko on urinary tract infection
2. To identify preventive practices carried out by Youths in BGS Molyko on fight against urinary tract infection.

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