Lay summary
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections, and wahine (particularly those who have had children and are older) can suffer from recurrent infections. As well as the clinical negative effects from recurrent UTIs, there is an over-reliance on prophylactic antibiotics. This type of antibiotic use can have wide consequences including antibiotic resistance.
This is a genuine ground up project where the research team will work in partnership with a group of older women to identify the perspectives of the use of antibiotics and the concern that many older women have. Interviews will elicit the preferences of wahine in the approach and medicalisation of recurrent UTIs. A particular focus of this work is the preference or desire to have increased access to a bacterial vaccine Uromune, which is not readily available in Aotearoa New Zealand. This piece of work will form the platform for local trials or access pathways.