URINARY TRACT INFECTION IN THE POPULATION OF ANDIJAN REGION, UZBEKISTAN: CLINICAL FEATURES AND TREATMENT APPROACHES

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most frequently encountered infectious diseases in primary health care practice and represents a significant public health concern worldwide. The prevalence of UTIs is influenced by multiple factors, including demographic characteristics, climatic conditions, hygienic practices, socio-economic status, comorbidities, and access to medical care. Women are particularly at higher risk due to anatomical and physiological predisposition. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features, prevalence, etiological factors, and treatment approaches of urinary tract infections among the population of the Andijan region of Uzbekistan, with a focus on primary health care settings. A cross-sectional clinical-epidemiological study was conducted among adult patients attending primary health care centers. The study included clinical examination, laboratory urinalysis, ultrasound imaging of the urinary system, and bacteriological analysis of urine samples to identify causative pathogens and assess antimicrobial sensitivity patterns. The results demonstrated that urinary tract infections were detected in 12.4% of examined individuals, with a significantly higher prevalence among female patients. The most common causative microorganism was Escherichia coli, followed by other Gram-negative uropathogens. Risk factors included poor personal hygiene, previous history of UTIs, urinary stasis, comorbid chronic diseases, and delayed healthcare seeking behavior. Therapeutic management included antibacterial therapy based on sensitivity testing, combined with phytotherapeutic agents as adjunct treatment. This combined approach demonstrated improved clinical outcomes, faster symptom resolution, and reduced recurrence rates compared to monotherapy in selected cases. The findings highlight that early diagnosis and appropriate management of UTIs at the primary care level are essential for preventing complications such as pyelonephritis, chronic kidney damage, and recurrent infections. Keywords: urinary tract infection, Andijan region, Uzbekistan, pyelonephritis, cystitis, asymptomatic bacteriuria, bacteriological analysis