An Overview of the Predictors of Symptomatic Urinary Tract Infection Among Nursing Students

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common infection experienced by humans after respiratory and gastro-intestinal infections, and also the most common cause of nosocomial infections for patients admitted to hospitals indeed UTIs are the most frequent bacterial infection in women. AIM: The aim was to determine the prevalence of UTI and to identify factors associated with an increased risk of UTI among nursing students. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The cross-sectional study involved 177 unmarried nursing students aged 18–30 years studying in the SRMSIMS, Nursing College Bareilly. A structured questionnaire was used, and study subjects were asked regarding the symptoms of UTI in the previous 3 months. Chi-square test and Univariate Logistic Regression was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of UTI was found to be 19.8% (35/177). Rural background, inadequate water intake, and unsatisfactory toilet habits were found to be strong predictors of UTI. CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need to sensitize the nursing students regarding the growing need of the issue so that they themselves become aware in addition to raising the awareness of other high-risk groups.