A Study on Medically Inclined Apparently Healthy Individuals Acquiring Urinary Tract Infections in North-Central, Nigeria

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTI) simply the symptomatic or asymptomatic colonization of the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder or/and the urethra by microorganisms, commonly bacteria. When these infections affect the kidneys, it is known as pyelonephritis. Objectives: To calculate the percentile risk of medically inclined apparently healthy individuals acquiring urinary tract infection. Methods: Written consent was sought on every questionnaire. It was carried out within the period of August to November, ۲۰۱۸. The study was done with over ۱۶۰ persons; ۱۵۴ questionnaires were accepted as properly filled. The questionnaires were gender specific. Persons cut across doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, nursing students and medical students. The sampling study used was single blinded method. Areas studied were Plateau state (Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau Specialist Hospital and school of Midwifery; Vom), Abuja (University of Abuja Medical College Campus) and Nasarawa state (Bingham University). Data was collected, tabulated and classified into mild, moderate and high risks. (males, N = ۷۱ with an age range of ۱۹ - ۴۵ years; females, N = ۸۳ with an age range of ۱۹ - ۴۴ years). Results: Assessment criteria male/female low risk ۴۲ (۵۹.۲%)/۱۰ (۱۲.۰%), moderate risk ۲۳ (۳۲.۴%)/۲۹ (۳۴.۹%) and high risk ۶ (۰۸.۵%)/۴۴ (۵۳.۰%). Conclusions: Hygiene is a crucial factor in predisposition to UTI. Women are at higher risk of acquiring urinary tract infections. Sickle cell may be a predisposing factor to pyelonephritis.

Keywords:

Urinary Tract Infection , Pyelonephritis , Sickle Cell Nephropathy , Risk of UTI , UTI in Nigeria , Northcentral Nigeria