URINARY TRACT INFECTION AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: EPIDEMIOLOGY, BACTERIOLOGY AND CLINICAL FEATURES

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common problems encountered in urological outpatient clinics and in general medical practice. What so ever the etiology is, UTI needs proper management to prevent both morbidity and mortality events. Objectives: The aims of the study were to pin point the prevalence of (UTI) among university students, the predominant causative microorganism and whether the infection is symptomatic or asymptomatic. Patients and methods: One hundred twenty students (60 females and 60 males) were enrolled in the study for six months. Every student was asked to bring a sample of urine according to the standard guidelines of urine collection. Then urine sample was subjected to microscopic and culture examinations. Results were then statistically analysed. Results: Pyuria was present in 25 students,15 females and 10 males. Nine students (6 females and 3 males) showed symptoms of (UTI), the rest (13) were asymptomatic. Positive urine cultures (Bacteruria) were found in 22 students (14 females and 8 males). Escherichia Coli (E.coli) was the predominant identified uropathogen (71.1%). Conclusion: Urinary Tract Infection was common among University students with a prevalence rate of (18.3%). Predominancy was in favour of females ( 1.75 females : 1 male). Asymptomatic cases were more common (59.1%) as compared with symptomatic (40.9%) cases. The predominant isolated uropathogen was E.coli.