KNOWLEDGE , ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES TOWARDS THE PREVENTION OF URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS AT KAMPALA SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES, WAKISO. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background According to the CDC, UTIs are common infections that happen when bacteria often from the skin or rectum enter the urethra and affect the different parts of the urinary tract. The study aims to assess the Knowledge attitudes and practices toward the prevention of urinary tract infections among female students.  Methodology A descriptive cross-sectional study using a random sampling method until 50 respondents were obtained. Students at Kampala School of Health Sciences were selected by convenient sampling. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews using interview guides and pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires.  Results Majority of the respondents were aged 21-23years (50%) and 5(10%) were above 26year. (96%) were single and (4%) were married. (72%) gave the meaning of UTIs as the inflammation of both the urethra and the urinary bladder and the least (8%) defined UTI as the inflammation of the vagina and (20%) defined it as inflammation of the urethra, urinary bladder, and vagina. The majority (80%) strongly agreed that early diagnosis and treatment of UTIs can reduce their complications and (4%) disagreed. (70%) strongly agreed that UTIs are common and (10%) disagreed. (70%) cleaned their perineum from front to back after a bowel movement whereas (30%) didn’t. (64%) always emptied their bladder frequently while (36%) emptied their bladder sometimes meaning held urine for a long time.   Conclusion Participants had adequate knowledge and reasonable attitude towards UTIs prevention with Most Participants maintaining good hygiene practices that greatly helped in reducing the risk of transmission of Urinary tract infections.  Recommendation The administrators of Kampala School of Health Sciences should organize training about UTI prevention for female students such that they improve their knowledge of how to manage UTIs in case they are infected.