Knowledge And Causes Of Urinary Tract Infection As Perceived By Health Workers
[A CASE STUDY OF KAURA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KADUNA STATE]

Hygiene
According to Michael (2015). Said that women should Wipe front to back. Always wipe from the front to the back after using the bathroom. Do not try to reach from behind because germs from the rectum can be transferred to the hand and tissue. After bowel movements, clean the area around the anus gently, wiping from front to back. Never wipe twice with the same tissue. Any wiping motion that starts nearer to the rectum and then approaches the bladder-opening area moves potentially pathogenic bacteria closer to the bladder.
    Take showers and avoid prolonged baths. Bath water may fairly quickly become contaminated by the bather’s own skin florae. Sitting in a tub allows bacteria to reach the bladder to reach the bladder opening area.
    Wash properly, front to back, in the shower or bath. Rinse well and remember to wipe correctly from front to back. Douches have no proven benefit in preventing ladder infections.
    Use tampons for periods. Tampons are advised during the menstrual period rather than sanitary napkins or pads because they keep the bladder opening area drier than a sanitary pad, thereby limiting bacterial overgrowth.
    Extremely effective is avoiding long intervals between urinating. Try to empty the bladder at least every 4 hours during the day while awake, even if the need or urge to void is absent. When feeling the need to empty the bladder, do not try to “hold it” until a more convenient time or place.
Clothing
    Do not wear tight-fitting undergarments made of nonbreathing materials. With such fabrics, accumulating moisture builds up. This leads to maceration of the skin and bacterial over growth adjacent to the opening of the bladder cotton underwear for general use is suggested. 
Diet
    Drink more water. Start with 1 extra glass with each meal. If the urine appears any darker than a very pale yellow, this means not enough liquid is being ingested; increase the fluid intake.
    Cranberry juice and cranberry pills have unproven benefit in reducing urinary infections. They appear to be most effective in younger women.
Activities
    When engaging in physical activity and exercise, make sure to empty the bladder frequently and drink plenty of water and other fluids. Beisel et al (2000).
    Take special precautions after sexual activity; such activity may also increase risk because it can introduce bacteria into the bladder area. The bladder should be emptied after intercourse; drink 2 extra glasses of water. Some patients are advised by their physician to take a urinary antiseptic or antibiotic after sexual activity. Make sure to take the medication according to the  physician’s recommendation.
    Avoid the use of spermicidal jelly. This skills sperm as well as normal vaginal florae, which are extremely important in suppressing colonization with pathogenic bacteria.
Medications
    An estrongen vaginal cream may help increase resistance to bladder infections. An estrogen cream for the vagina may be suggested for women after menopause even if an oral estrogen supplement or patch has already been prescribed. The cream helps keep the tissues around the bladder healthy and more resistant to infection.
    Take antibiotics only as prescribed by a doctor. If a medication has been prescribed as preventive therapy, follow the physician’s instructions carefully. Be aware that medications may be necessary for up to a year or more depending on the nature and severity of the urinary infection problem.
    Hillier et al (2000). For some patients, a small amount of urinary antibiotic or antiseptic taken daily prevents most urinary infections and allows the bladder to heal and restore its natural resistance. Other patients may be told to take an antibiotic only when they think they are getting an infection. Take any prescribed medication exactly according to the physician’s advice. Contact the physician or pharmacist if no clear instructions are on the bottle of medicine.