Sanitation deficit: Evaluating the risk of urinary tract infections in populations

Poor sanitation and inadequate hygiene practices are strongly associated with an increased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and their long-term complications, especially in women and communities with limited resources .This research sought to evaluate how sanitation shortcomings and hygiene habits affect urinary health in people aged 10 to 85 years .A prospective observational study involving 403 participants in Pathanamthitta  district was carried out using a semi structured questionnaire to assess hygiene practices , access to sanitation and the incidence of UTIs. Findings indicated that 57.82 % maintained appropriate genital hygiene post -urination, whereas 50.12 % delayed urination because of unsanitary restrooms. Furthermore, 29.28 % often encountered UTIs linked to poor sanitation, and 28.54 % indicated infections occurring after utilizing public restrooms. These results emphasize the crucial impact of sanitation and hygiene practices on urinary health. Enhancing sanitation systems, promoting hygiene education and ensuring availability of clean facilities is crucial for decreasing UTI prevalence and advancing public health.