KNOWLEDGE AND PREVENTIVE PRACTICES REGARDING URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections in women and remain an important public health concern. Knowledge and preventive practices regarding UTIs vary among women of reproductive age, and limited evidence exists from the general reproductive-age population in Pakistan.

Objectives: The study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and preventive practices regarding UTIs among women of reproductive age, determine the association of socio-demographic characteristics with knowledge and preventive practices, and examine the relationship between knowledge and preventive practices.

Methods: A quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 372 women aged 18–45 years selected through non-probability convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of UTIs, and preventive practices. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics. Descriptive statistics, the Pearson chi-square test, and the Pearson correlation coefficient were applied. A p-value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Among 372 women, 45.4% had moderate knowledge and 47.3% reported moderate preventive practices regarding UTIs. Knowledge was significantly associated with education (χ² = 18.64, p = .005), while preventive practices were also significantly associated with education (χ² = 20.31, p = .002). Age and marital status were not significantly associated with either knowledge or preventive practices. Knowledge was positively correlated with preventive practice scores (r = .428, p < .001).

Conclusion: Most women of reproductive age demonstrated moderate levels of knowledge and preventive practices regarding UTIs. Higher educational attainment was associated with better knowledge and practices, and greater knowledge was linked to better preventive practices. Targeted health education interventions, particularly for women with lower educational levels, are recommended to improve awareness and preventive behaviors and help reduce the burden of UTIs in this population.