Journal of Human Biology and Clinical Medicine

Abstract

The present study was aimed at identifying the factors and prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) among Indian students studying at Osh State University and Osh International Medical University in the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as at assessing their patterns of seeking medical care. In March 2025, a cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous online questionnaire completed by 178 medical students with a mean age of 20.9 years, enrolled across five years of study at two medical universities. Data were collected using structured questionnaires that included demographic characteristics, the presence of symptoms, daily water intake, satisfaction with the hygiene of toilet facilities, habits of delayed urination and self-reported history of a UTI diagnosis. Approximately 20.79% of participants reported having previously been diagnosed with a UTI. Students who were dissatisfied with the hygienic conditions of toilet facilities significantly more often reported having an infection. The most common symptoms were burning sensation and pain during urination (33.15%), frequent urges to urinate (31.46%) and passing small amounts of urine (31.46%). Many students managed their symptoms on their own: 54.49% ignored them, and 38.20% resorted to self-medication. Only 2.81% sought medical care in hospitals of the Kyrgyz Republic. The findings showed that, despite the fact that most students were aware of UTI symptoms, their preventive and treatment measures remained unsatisfactory. Poor hygiene of sanitary facilities markedly increased the risk of infection, whereas self-medication and ignoring symptoms could have led to complications. The obtained results were considered potentially useful for the development of targeted prevention programmes, the improvement of sanitary and hygienic conditions and the enhancement of the effectiveness of measures for early detection and prevention of urinary tract infections in organised populations

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