ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE OF NURSING STUDENTS ABOUT PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF UINARY TRACT INFECTION

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most prevalent bacterial infections, affecting individuals across all age groups. They commonly occur due to pathogenic microorganisms in the urinary tract, often leading to significant morbidity if not properly managed. Despite being largely preventable, UTIs remain a frequent healthcare concern, particularly in hospital settings where catheter-associated infections are prevalent. Adequate knowledge of preventive strategies is essential, especially among healthcare professionals. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of nursing students regarding UTI prevention measures.

Objective: To evaluate the level of knowledge among undergraduate nursing students regarding UTI prevention and identify potential gaps that may require targeted educational interventions.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among third-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students at the University of Lahore. A structured, pre-tested Likert-scale questionnaire was administered to assess knowledge. The study employed a convenience sampling technique, enrolling 65 participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in SPSS version 25.0. Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained from all participants before data collection.

Results: Among the 65 participants, 21 (32.3%) were male, and 44 (67.7%) were female, with all aged between 20 and 25 years. Marital status showed that 61 (93.9%) were single, and 4 (6.1%) were married. Knowledge assessment revealed that 5 (7.7%) had poor knowledge (<40%), 21 (32.3%) had fair knowledge (40–60%), and 39 (60.0%) exhibited good knowledge (>60%). Responses varied across different preventive measures, with 33.8% agreeing that emptying the bladder every four hours helps prevent UTIs, while 24.6% disagreed. Increased fluid intake was recognized as beneficial by 24.6%, whereas 13.8% disagreed. Washing the vaginal area from front to back was acknowledged as a preventive measure by 35.4%, while 24.6% disagreed.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that the majority of nursing students demonstrated good knowledge of UTI prevention, reinforcing the impact of structured healthcare education. However, knowledge gaps still exist, emphasizing the need for continuous education and practical training to enhance preventive practices among future healthcare professionals.