Kumi Health Center IV is recording a sharp rise in urinary tract infections (UTIs), with health officials expressing concern over the increasing number of cases, particularly among women.
Dr. Beatrice Aguti, the medical officer in charge of the facility, said the center is handling nearly 20 UTI cases daily, placing a strain on services.
“We receive nearly 20 cases of urinary tract infections daily, which has put a considerable burden on the health facility,” Aguti said.
She clarified that UTIs are not sexually transmitted infections, although patients are sometimes advised to have their partners tested during evaluation.
“A urinary tract infection is not a sexually transmitted disease, and it cannot be passed from one person to another through sexual intercourse,” she said. Aguti said women are more vulnerable to UTIs due to their anatomy, which allows bacteria to enter the urinary tract more easily if hygiene is poor.
“For women, the anatomical structure places the urinary opening close to areas that can harbor bacteria. Without proper hygiene, this increases the risk of infection,” she said. She also cited poor hygiene practices, including incorrect wiping after using the toilet, as a key contributor to infections.
“Some women still clean from back to front instead of front to back, which increases the chances of bacteria entering the urinary tract,” she said. Aguti urged women to maintain good personal hygiene, especially when using shared sanitation facilities, and to drink plenty of water to help flush bacteria from the urinary system.
She also encouraged those experiencing symptoms to seek diagnosis and treatment at recognized health facilities rather than informal clinics.
Kumi District has a population of about 287,000 people, with women and girls accounting for just over half at about 152,000, according to Uganda Bureau of Statistics estimates.
Health officials say this demographic burden makes women the most affected group in UTI cases, given their population size and biological vulnerability.
Health officials continue to call for increased awareness and improved hygiene practices to reduce UTI cases in the community.
