´Prevalence of urinary tract infection and associated factors in hospitalized patients aged 0 to 5 years. Original research

Abstract

Introduction: Urinary tract infection is a frequent affliction in children, and its recurrence predisposes the patient to chronic pathologies that decrease the survival of hospitalized patients. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of urinary tract infection and associated factors in hospitalized children aged 0 to 5 years.

Methods: The present study is cross-sectional analytical. The universe was made up of children hospitalized in pediatrics, aged 0-5 years, at “José Carrasco Arteaga” Hospital in Cuenca-Ecuador. The sample was probabilistic, with 147 cases, while the sampling was simple random. The variables were the presence of UTI, age, sex, socioeconomic status, balanitis, constipation, and history of UTI. In the bivariate analysis, the association was determined using chi-square, and the intensity of the association was measured by prevalence ratio (PR) with a 95% confidence interval and a significant value of P <0.05.

Results: There were 147 cases. The prevalence of UTI was 10.6%. The following were presented as protective factors: age <1 year PR 0.21 (95% CI 0.16-0.42, P <0.001) and male sex PR 0.28 (CI 0.18-0.471, P <0.001). The risk factors were: low-middle socioeconomic level PR 1.70 (CI 1.01-2.86, P = 0.04), balanitis PR 3.23 (CI 2.48-4.21, P = 0.012), phimosis PR 29.37 (CI 6.34-136.3., P <0.001), synechiae PR 1.43 (CI 1.14-1.79, P= 0.02), history of urinary tract infection PR 78.91 (CI 10.72-580.7, P <0.001), and constipation PR 4.51 (CI 2.16-9.50, P <0.001 ). Hydronephrosis was the most frequent ultrasound finding PR 78.9 (CI 10.7-580.7, P <0.001).

Conclusions: Male sex was a protective factor, and anatomical alterations of the urinary tract were the major risk factors.