Urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent a prevalent health concern among the female population, with anatomical and physiological determinants such as a shorter urethra and its proximity to the rectum augmenting vulnerability. The presence of Escherichia coli and various other pathogens plays a significant role in the etiology of these infections, which can be aggravated by sexual intercourse and disturbances to the vaginal microbiome. The physiological alterations associated with pregnancy further elevate the likelihood of UTIs, with untreated cases potentially leading to severe complications such as pyelonephritis, preterm labor, and stillbirth. Furthermore, postmenopausal women encounter an augmented risk of UTIs attributable to estrogen deficiency and vaginal atrophy, as well as conditions including pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and urinary incontinence (UI), which hinder optimal bladder functionality. The aforementioned factors, in conjunction with the rising prevalence of cesarean deliveries and catheterization, complicate the management of UTIs. While precise diagnosis is paramount, it remains a formidable challenge, notwithstanding advancements in molecular diagnostic techniques. Management strategies encompass antibiotic-sparing therapies; however, the increasing incidence of multidrug resistance represents an alarming trend. Diverse guidelines from various medical specialties endeavor to standardize treatment approaches, yet significant inconsistencies continue to exist. This study systematically appraises the extant guidelines, evaluating the quality of evidence while identifying areas of agreement and discord to supply practitioners with effective strategies for UTI management.

Poor or suboptimal knowledge of appropriate antibiotic use is a cause for global concern and little is known about Central Asian countries. Therefore, this survey is aimed at evaluating awareness about antibiotic use and resistance among the adult population of Kazakhstan. A cross-sectional study of a random sample was conducted between October 2021 and February 2022 among 727 individuals without medical education and followed the methodology described in the WHO report “Antibiotic Resistance: Multi-country public awareness survey”. Half of the respondents (50.4%) received antibiotic therapy within the last 12 months, 40.1% had no prescription for this and 40.4% received no advice from a medical professional. Nearly two-thirds of respondents (65.3%) never heard about antibiotic resistance and 57.2% believed that it is worth requesting the same antibiotic if it helped to treat a similar condition previously. In general, knowledge about antibiotic use proved to be low in 82.1% of respondents and 91.9% agreed with the statement that a common cold requires antibiotics. There is a need for awareness-raising campaigns to improve the knowledge about antibiotic use and resistance in the population of Kazakhstan.

Background Effective communication is a critical skill for nurses, particularly in palliative care, where emotional and complex patient interactions are common. Training nurses in communication skills may improve both their competence in patient interactions and their ability to manage the emotional demands of end-of-life care. Objective This study aimed to assess the impact of a training program on communication competencies and stress-coping strategies among nurses in two distinct regions, Shymkent and Astana, with a focus on palliative care settings. Methods A descriptive-analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted from January to December 2024 in two palliative care hospitals in Shymkent and Astana, Kazakhstan. Thirty nurses (15 from each hospital) participated. They completed a self-assessment of their communication skills before and after attending a communication skills training seminar, with follow-up assessments after six months. Two instruments were used: the Communicative Competence Scale (CCS) to measure communication skills and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ) to assess coping strategies related to stress. Results Before training, nurses in Shymkent demonstrated significantly higher communication competence scores (M = 109.27) compared to those in Astana (M = 98.6). After training, both groups showed improvements in communication skills, with Astana nurses experiencing the most significant increase in their self-assessment scores (M = 106.13). Notably, nurses in Astana showed a marked improvement in coping strategies, including increased seeking of social support and decreased reliance on confrontational and distancing behaviors. Conclusion Communication skills training significantly enhances nurses’ communication competencies and coping strategies, particularly in regions where initial competencies were lower. These improvements may lead to better patient care and increased nurse well-being in palliative care settings. Further integration of communication training in nursing education is recommended. BJMS, Vol. 24 No. 03 July’25 Page : 957-966