Urinary Tract Infection Risk Factors and Their Relationship to Hydration Habits Among Female Students in Bayero University Kano, North West Nigeria

Background: Urinary tract infections are among the most prevalent microbial infections affecting young women globally and are particularly common in resource-limited settings where access to safe water and sanitation is constrained. Inadequate daily fluid intake predisposes individuals to concentrated urine and bacterial colonisation of the urinary tract. Studies among Nigerian female university students remain sparse. Objectives: This study aims to determine the relationship between daily fluid intake, voiding frequency, and self-reported urinary tract infection frequency among female students at Bayero University Kano. Methods: Two hundred female students will be recruited via convenience sampling. A validated 24-hour fluid intake recall questionnaire will document hydration habits. Self-reported urinary tract infection history and symptoms over the preceding six months will be captured. Midstream urine dipstick tests will screen for nitrites and leucocytes as infection markers. Chi-square tests and logistic regression will identify independent predictors. Expected Outcomes: Students consuming less than the recommended 1.5 litres of water daily are hypothesised to have significantly higher rates of urinary tract infection symptoms and positive dipstick results. Conclusion: Outcomes will support hydration education campaigns targeted at female university students in Nigeria. Keywords: urinary tract infection, hydration, fluid intake, female students, Bayero University.