A gynaecologist, Dr Abdullahi Kabir, has stated that using public toilets is not the primary cause of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in women.
He made this known in an interview with reporters on Wednesday in Bauchi.
Dr Kabir, an obstetrician at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBU-TH), Bauchi, described the belief that women contract UTIs from public toilets as a common misconception.
He dismissed the notion as a myth, explaining that most bacteria cannot survive for long on hard, cold surfaces.
“There are a lot of misconceptions. Many women believe that simply entering a toilet, squatting, and urinating will immediately cause an infection. In most cases, that is not how these infections are contracted,” he said.
According to Kabir, while infection through direct contact is theoretically possible, such occurrences are rare and not the major source of most genital or urinary tract infections.
“The majority of cases are linked to other factors, including poor personal hygiene, insertion of harmful substances into the vagina, and risky sexual practices,” he said.
“Sexual behavior plays a critical role in the spread of infection. Men with multiple sexual partners can transmit infections to their spouses,” Kabir added.
He warned that failure to seek prompt medical attention could endanger others, particularly in polygamous families.
The gynaecologist emphasized the importance of contact tracing in medical practice, stressing that when a woman is diagnosed with an infection, treatment should be extended to her husband—even if he shows no symptoms.
“The co-wives may also receive preventive treatment to curb silent infections,” he said.
While calling for cooperation among couples during treatment, Kabir advised abstinence from sexual intercourse until the full course of medication is completed.
He further urged women to avoid misinformation, maintain proper personal hygiene, practice responsible sexual behavior, and seek early medical care to prevent complications and stop the spread of infections.
