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KITUM LINDA: Create awareness on urinary tract infections

Worldwide, UTI prevalence was estimated to be around 150 million persons per year

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by KITUM LINDA

Africa15 September 2021 - 11:17
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In Summary


• Most women in Kenya have contracted urinal tract infections.

• UTI is caused when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begins to multiply in the bladder.

Antibiotics are a critical tool for fighting infection.

Urinary tract infection is one of the most common microbial diseases encountered in medical practice affecting people of all ages.

Worldwide, UTI prevalence is estimated to be around 150 million persons per year. Most women in Kenya have contracted urinal tract infections.

This has lead to many of them inquiring about this disease, its occurrence and if it is treatable or not.

UTI is an infection in the part of the urinary system, for instance, the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. 

This infection occurs in the bladder and can cause serious consequences if it spreads to the kidneys.

It is categorised into different types and each may result in more specific signs and symptoms depending on the part of the urinary tract infected.

If one's kidney is infected, then he or she will get certain symptoms such as back pain, high fever, shaking, nausea and vomiting.

The bladder can also be infected. If one's bladder is infected then he or she will have symptoms such as pelvic pressure, lower abdomen discomfort, frequent painful urination and blood in the urine.

UTI is caused when bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra and begin to multiply in the bladder. The most common UTIs occur in the bladder and the urethra.


If this disease is not treated well it might result in recurrent infections, permanent kidney damage, urethral narrowing and sepsis which is a life-threatening complication

Infection of the bladder, also called cystitis, is usually caused by E.Coli type of bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract.

Sexual intercourse may also lead to cystitis. Infection of the urethra or urethritis is a type of UTI caused when the gastrointestinal bacteria spreads from the anus to the urethra.

Sexually transmitted infections such as Chlamydia, herpes can also cause urethritis.

Some of the risk factors specific to women include female anatomy, sexual activity, certain types of birth control methods and menopause.

If this disease is not treated well it might result in recurrent infections, permanent kidney damage, urethral narrowing and sepsis, which is a life-threatening complication.

To reduce the risk of this infection, one should drink plenty of water as it helps dilute urine and ensures one urinates frequently allowing bacteria to be flushed out.

One should also empty the bladder soon after intercourse to flush bacteria out.

Changing birth control methods, for example, diaphragms or spermicide-treated condoms, also contributes to the growth of bacteria.

Men can also contract this infection, hence should be cautious. 

The Ministry of Health should, therefore, create awareness on this.

Women should also observe hygiene and in case of an infection, they should visit a gynaecologist to prevent future recurrence.

Student, Maasai Mara University

Edited by Kiilu Damaris

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