Intimate hygiene and care of the genitalia and its association with urinary tract infection in pregnant women at habitual risk

• Grant number: 20/03673-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2021
• End date: June 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nursing - Obstetrical Nursing
• Principal Investigator: Flávia Azevedo Gomes-Sponholz
• Grantee: Stella Maris Carvalho
• Host Institution: Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto (EERP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a frequent complication during pregnancy and has great clinical relevance, due to the significant impact on maternal and perinatal prognosis. Among the risk factors for the development of UTI during pregnancy, maternal socioeconomic conditions, race, parity, and intimate hygiene habits stand out. The present study aims to identify the prevalence of UTI in pregnant women undergoing prenatal care in the basic municipal health network of Ribeirão Preto and to verify the existence of an association between UTI and practices of intimate hygiene and care of the genitals among pregnant women. This is a cross-sectional study, carried out with pregnant women in prenatal care at the Basic Health Units in Ribeirão Preto. Maternal data will be obtained through an interview and two consultations to the medical record for checking the results of urine tests. The variables include social and demographic aspects, housing conditions and basic sanitation, drug and tobacco use, intimate hygiene habits, and care for the genitalia and sexual history. The results of this study have the potential to provide support for a better epidemiological understanding of maternal risk factors related to UTI. (AU)