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

CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION, CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS
5.1     Discussion of Findings
    The study revealed that urinary tract infection is a pathogenic invasion of the urothelium common among women in their productive age and that 310(79.5%) of the respondents strongly agreed that urinary tract infection is a common medical complain among women in their reproductive age, 345(88.5) said that it could be caused by micro-organism, 234(60%) supported the view that untreated UTI could develop into serious life threatening kidney infection also 128 (32.8%) agreed that frequent sexual activities may cause UTI. This is supported  the view of Emille (2016 ) that pregnancy induced physiologic changes in the urinary tract increases the likelihood of upper urinary tract infection. Also, Azzaron Pediatric Rev (2007) lend credence to the findings when it stated that UTI is the most common medical complain among women than male Similarly, the findings indicated that E.col are the causative agents that cause approximately 80% of acute infection and untreated UTI poses serious threat to life threatening kidney infection. This finding is also supported by Azzarron Pediatric Rev. (2007).
    On effects of UTI, the findings indicated that it can lead to urine retention, premature delivery, painful urination and signs of pyuria and this revealed that 371(86.2) of the respondents agreed that UTI can lead to retention of urine, 245 (62.8) believed that it exposes pregnant women to premature delivery, 266 (68.3) said that painful burning after urination could be associated with UTI, 330 (84.6) strongly frequently agreed that signs of pyuria urge urination frequently which occur when the bladder is empty with strong small looking cloudy to condition. These findings are corroborated by Clarks and Kumar (2007) when they listed effects of UTI to include: strong urge to urinate frequently painful burning sensation when urinating, the urine often has a strong small, looks cloudy. Also Clinical and laboratory standard institute (2005) view that fungal infections, xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, and papillary necrosis are persistent among diabetic females. Obstruction of the urinary tract as a result of diabetes can cause emphysematous UTIs which leads to necrosis and hemorrhagic infarction
    Reporting on preventive measures against UTI, the findings identified personal cleanliness, wiping from front to back in order to stop bacteria; drinking of plenty of water and washing of genital area before and after intercourse also it was revealed by the respondent that, 309(79) of the respondents agreed that women wiping themselves from front to back can stop bacteria from entering into the anus and vagina, 329 (84.4) supported practice of personal hygiene as UTI preventive measure, 338(86.7) opined that drinking of plenty water is capable of flushing bacteria, 335 (85.9) agreed that washing of genital area before and after intercourse can prevent transfer of bacteria from partner to partner. These findings are supported by John (2015) when he stated that patients with urinary tract infection should drink 10-14 glasses of water so that bacteria and micro-organism should be flushed out. Also according to Michael (2015) 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.