Prevailing Ages in Acute, Recurrent and Chronic Urinary Tract Infections in Iraq, Kirkuk City

Abstract

Background: Acute, recurrent and chronic urinary tract infections are a major public health concern and occur in all age groups of males and females. They are a major and serious health problem that may lead to the subsequent development of serious symptoms with increased resistance to antibiotics.Aim: This study aimed to identify the most vulnerable ages in acute, recurrent and chronic urinary tract infections and the most common age groups for infection in Kirkuk cityMaterials and Methods: 151 urine samples were collected from patients with urinary tract infections who visited private clinics in Kirkuk Governorate. They were diagnosed by a urologist for the period from December 2022 to October 2023. The patients' ages ranged from 21-76 years. Microscopic examination, laboratory tests, culture and isolation of pathogens were performed to confirm the patients' cases.Results: In the current study, the number of male patients with urinary tract infections was 62, representing 41.1%, while the number of females was 89, representing 58.9%. The condition was diagnosed as acute, recurrent, or chronic. The results of the current study showed, that the number of samples for patients with acute urinary tract infections was 91 samples, representing 60.3% for both males and females. The number of males was 37, representing 40.7%, and the number of females was 54, representing 3.59%. As for the cases of patients with recurrent urinary tract infections, the percentage of males was 42.6%, with 23, while the percentage of females was 57.4%, with 31 samples. As for patients with chronic urinary tract infections, the percentage of males was 33.3%, with 2, while the percentage of females was 66.7%, with 4 samples. As for the age groups most affected by these cases, the ages ranged between 42-51, where the numbers were 62, with a percentage of 41.1%, followed by the age group 21-32 years, where the numbers were 42, with a percentage of 28.8%. In general, female infections were higher than males.Conclusion: This study, which was conducted on urinary tract patients in Kirkuk Governorate, showed that ages 42-51 years and ages 21-32 years are the most vulnerable groups to acute, chronic and recurrent urinary tract infections.