IJCM_62A: Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Urinary Tract Infection among adolescent females in a rural field practice area of a city.

Abstract

Background: Urinary Tract Infection is very common in females of adolescent age group. In rural areas there is little knowledge about hygiene practices among adolescent girls which leads to urinary tract infections. Objective: To assess the knowledge of urinary tract infection among adolescent females in a rural field practice area of a city. Methodology: A KAP study was done on 287 female girls of adolescent age group between the age of 10-19 years of a village in a rural field practice area by non-probability purposive sampling. A pre-designed structured questionnaire was prepared to obtain the demographic profile, symptoms, treatment history and hygiene practices. Results: The current study finding revealed that the Mean ± SD of age of study participants was 16.05± 3.53, age range 11- 21, out of which 143(61.3%) of study participants had poor knowledge score regarding Urinary Tract Infection, 116 (49.7%) had good attitude while 227 (97.4%) of studied adolescent females had unsatisfactory self-care practice regarding prevention of Urinary Tract Infection. Conclusion: Our study showed that 39.9% of our study participants had UTI, hence there is a greater need for awareness programs for females to have adequate knowledge, attitude and practices to prevent any complicated urinary tract infections later on.