A study of urinary tract infection among housewives in a community setting
1.1 Background of the Study Urinary tract infection (UTI) is defined as the presence of bacteria in the urine (bacteriuria). The principal bacterial infections of the kidney and urinary tract occur in either the renal parenchyma (pyelonephritis) or bladder (cystitis) (Lee, 2007). Generally, acco...
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| Format: | Monograph |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Pusat Pengajian Sains Kesihatan, Universiti Sains Malaysia
2014
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://eprints.usm.my/56904/1/WAN%20HASNIMAZMIRA%20BINTI%20WAN%20YUSOFF-24%20pages.pdf http://eprints.usm.my/56904/ |
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| Summary: | 1.1 Background of the Study
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is defined as the presence of bacteria in the urine
(bacteriuria). The principal bacterial infections of the kidney and urinary tract occur in
either the renal parenchyma (pyelonephritis) or bladder (cystitis) (Lee, 2007). Generally,
according to Earhart (20 I 0), women are prone to get UTI for anatomical reasons. One o f
the factors is that woman's urethra is shorter, which is average of 4 em in length that will
increase chances for bacteria to have quick access to the bladder (Earhart. 20 I 0).
Furthermore, woman's urethral opening is also near to the sources of bacteria, which is
from the anus and vagina (National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information
Clearinghouse, 20 12).
!.1.1 The types of UTI
Generally. UTI are classified into two types: upper and lower UTI. ll owe ver. fo r
this current study, the researcher \Vas generally focus for this two type of UTI. that included
women as a main aspect of study as a respondent due to the prevalence of women is higher
as compared to men.
1.1.1.1 Upper UTI
Upper UTI is infections that affect the upper urinary tract. It is also known as
pyelonephritis, which refers to the inflammation of the renal pelvis. interstitial ne phritis and
renal abscesses. Generally, upper UTI is causes by either the invasion of bacteria from the
bla9der or systemic sources such as via bloodstream. that spreading to the kidney . This type
of UTI was more give harm and severe than lov,·er UTI (Smeltzer et a/ .. 20 I 0).
1. 1.1.2 Lower UTI
Lower UTI is an infections involving lower urinary tract such as cystitis that refer
to the inflammation of urinary bladder, prostatitis that is inflammation of prostate gland and
urethritis that is inflammation of the urethra (Heffner & Gorelick. 2008). UTI is a type of
infection that can be cause by many factors.
I. I .2 The causes of UT I
There arc several causes of UTI. As mentioned earlier, the meatus, or also
commonly known as urinary opening, is situated in front of the vagina and closer to the
rectum than in males. So, UTI is an infection caused by the presence and growth of
microorganisms anywhere in the urinary tract. It is perhaps the single most common
bacterial infection of mankind . Most commonly, UTI occurs when gastrointestinal bacteria
(bacteria in the gut) enter through the urethra and start multiplying in the bladder. Our
defense system is designed to keep such germs out. but sometimes they fail and bacteria
may take hold and multiply into an infection (Earhart. 20 I 0).
1.1 .3 The symptoms of UTI
The symptoms of a UTI are varies by age. gender, and whether a urinary catheter is
present. By referrring to Johansen et a/., (20 I I), sometimes microorganisms enter the
urinary tract without causing problems which is called as asymptomatic bacteriuria. Among
young women, UTI symptoms typically include a frequent and intense urge to urinate and
painful, burning feeling in the bladder or urethra during urination. The amount of urine may
be very small. Moreover, the presence of pathogens in the urine is considered to be a risk
factor for a clinical infection. Local and systemic symptoms may arise when pathogens
invade the urothelium. In other word. the higher up in the urinary tract the invasion ta kes
place, the more serious is the clinical situation (Johansen eta! .. 20 II).
A theoretical framework that was used in this study was the Health Belief Model
(HBM). It is used to help explain how changes and maintenance of health re lated behaviors
guides health behavior interventions (Champion & Skinner. 2008). This theoret ical
framework is one of the longest established theoretical models (Nutbeam & Harris. 2002).
It has been developed in the 1950s by a group of U.S. Public Health Service social
psychologists to explain why so few people were participating in programs to prevent and
detect disease (Champion & Skinner. 2008). The HBM is good to address pro blem
behaviors that evoke health concerns (Croy le. 2005). For this stud y. I-IBM was used to
illustrate the housewives' beliefs about their health and actions to improve a good and
better health. |
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