背景:简单的尿路感染(uUTIs)是最常见的社区获得性感染之一,尤其是在女性中。尿路感染的常见症状包括排尿困难,尿急和频率增加,和下腹部疼痛。经过适当的治疗,症状可能在几天内消失。然而,缺乏对这种疾病的情绪影响的研究。我们进行了定性,以访谈为基础的研究,以更好地了解uUTI对中国和日本女性的情感影响。
方法:定性,探索性,深入,基于访谈的研究于2020年11月19日至2021年2月25日进行。年龄≥18岁,在过去一年中经历≥1uUTI并接受抗生素治疗的女性有资格入选。参与者在uUTI发作期间必须经历以下症状中的≥1种:尿急,频率,排尿困难,或下腹部/耻骨上疼痛。排除报告背痛或发热(指示复杂UTI)的参与者。包括复发性或偶发性UTI的参与者,使用特定的筛选标准来确保两组的捕获。在筛选电话之后,一个结构化的,由三名接受过定性访谈培训的女性外部主持人进行了深入的电话访谈(持续时间约30分钟),在面试指南的协助下。访谈进行了单独和主题分析,结果在确定的主题内呈现。
结果:共有65名患有uUTI的女性完成了深入的电话采访:40名(62%)来自中国,25名(38%)来自日本。参与者报告说,uUTI的症状影响了他们生活的多个方面,描述了尴尬的感觉,挫败感,内疚,内疚恐惧,以及与干扰人际关系的症状相关的孤独,工作和日常活动,和睡眠。参与者报告说,他们从几个不同的接触点寻求医疗保健,从当地药店到医院。
结论:我们的分析强调了uUTI对中国和日本女性的深刻情感影响,以及这些参与者在与医疗保健专业人员进行初次互动之前所经历的旅程。这些见解强调需要更好地了解uUTI的全部影响,以及医疗保健专业人员在改善患者教育和支持方面的作用。
Uncomplicated urinary tract infections (uUTIs) are one of the most common community-acquired infections, particularly among women. Common symptoms of UTI include dysuria, urinary urgency and increased frequency, and lower abdominal pain. With appropriate treatment, symptoms may resolve in a few days. However, there is a lack of research on the emotional impact of this disease. We conducted a qualitative, interview-based study to gain a greater understanding of the emotional impact of uUTIs in women in China and Japan.
A qualitative, exploratory, in-depth, interview-based study was conducted between 19 November 2020 and 25 February 2021. Women aged ≥ 18 years who experienced ≥ 1 uUTI and received antibiotic treatment in the past year were eligible for inclusion. Participants must have experienced ≥ 1 of the following symptoms during a uUTI episode: urinary urgency, frequency, dysuria, or lower abdominal/suprapubic pain. Participants who reported back pain or fever (indicative of complicated UTI) were excluded. Participants with recurrent or sporadic UTIs were included, with specific screening criteria used to ensure capture of both groups. Following a screening call, a structured, in-depth telephone interview (~ 30 min in duration) was conducted by three female external moderators trained in qualitative interviewing, assisted by an interview guide. Interviews were analysed individually and thematically, with the results presented within the identified themes.
A total of 65 women with uUTI completed the in-depth telephone interview: 40 (62%) from China and 25 (38%) from Japan. Participants reported that the symptoms of uUTI affected multiple aspects of their lives, and described feelings of embarrassment, frustration, guilt, dread, and loneliness associated with symptoms that interfered with relationships, work and daily activities, and sleep. Participants reported seeking healthcare from several different points of contact, from local pharmacies to hospitals.
Our analysis highlights the profound emotional impact of uUTIs in women in China and Japan, and the journey these participants take before their initial interaction with a healthcare professional. These insights emphasise the need to better understand the full impact of uUTI, and the role of healthcare professionals in improved patient education and support.