Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
2 Department of Microbiology, Nursing Service, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more common in females than males and
predominantly based on their unhealthy practices in their day to day lives. This study is trying to
assess the occurrence of UTI and strategies used by female student to prevent UTI.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross‑sectional descriptive study carried out in a tertiary care
teaching institute. A total of 338 conveniently selected B. Sc. Nursing and MBBS Medical students
were surveyed. The data were collected by using a pretested, a self‑structured questionnaire
related to occurrence and practices to prevent UTI along with necessary demographic details.
Descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential (Chi‑square test)
statistics was used to compute the data.
RESULTS: The result of this study shows that 10.05% female students reported of having UTI. The
proportion was higher in nursing students (67.6%) than medical (32.4%) but did not show a significance
difference (P = 0.61). Age, duration of hostel life, and marital status were significantly associated
with the status of UTI (P = 0.001). To prevent UTI, students were using commercial product with
Tea Tree Oil, soap, drinking 3–4 l water/day, increased frequency of peri‑wash during menstruation
period, and use of Citrus Fruits. The use of western toilet was also significantly associated with
status of UTI (P = 0.04).
CONCLUSION: The occurrence of UTI was more among nursing students. Most of the perineal
hygienic practices by the female students were associated with occurrence of UTI; hence, it is
necessary to emphasize on preventive practices to minimize re‑occurrence.
Keywords
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