Asymptomatic bacteriuria in a university teaching hospital in Southern Nigeria: Prevalence, uropathogens, and antibiotic susceptibility

Abstract

Background: Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) has been documented as the main risk factor for the development of symptomatic urinary tract infection in pregnancy and is associated with maternal and fetal complications. Objective: To determine the ASB prevalence, the causative microorganisms, their drug sensitivity patterns, and the factors associated with its occurrence in pregnant women in the Uyo, Nigeria. Methodology: Three hundred and twenty women were recruited during their first antenatal visit over a period of 13 weeks. A midstream urine specimen was obtained from each patient, cultured, isolates identified and antimicrobial sensitivity done. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. Results: The ASB prevalence was 9.1% with the two commonest identified isolates being Escherichia coli (41.4%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (24.1%). Imipenem (100.0%) and gentamycin (37.9%) were the two most sensitive drugs. The association between respondents' educational level and the occurrence of ASB was significant statistically. Conclusion: The prevalence of ASB was relatively high among the respondents. This, therefore, emphasizes the need for routine screening of our antenatal female population for ASB in all our health facilities.

Keywords

• asymptomatic bacteriuria
• infection of the urinary tract
• southern nigeria
• uyo