Access to clean water and urinary tract infections in Haitian women

Access to clean water is a global concern. For women living in developing countries, the lack of clean water increases their risk of bacterial infections, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI). The purpose of this study was to examine if the location of water source has a relationship with the rate of UTIs in women who lived in the Léogâne area of Haiti.

Descriptive, correlational, retrospective chart review used de-identified data from medical intake flow sheets.

A total of 311 medical intake flowsheets with 32.4% of the sample were treated for a UTI. The majority of women were between the ages of 20 and 44 years.

The youngest group, ages 10-14 years, were more likely (83.3%) to be diagnosed with a UTI (X²  = 7.956, df = 3, p < .05) when compared to the other age groups. The location of water source also had a relationship with UTI, with women who reported using pump water more likely to be treated for a UTI than those who reported using short-well water (X²  = 4.318, df = 1, p < .05).

Although the study only involved Haitian women, the concepts of access to clean water, reducing bacterial infections such as a UTI, and health promotion are useful for any provider practicing in or going to a developing country.