Knowledge and prevalence of urinary tract infection among pregnant women in Lebanon

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) rank among the most prevalent medical complications during pregnancy, affecting a significant number of women of reproductive age. We aimed to determine the prevalence of urinary tract infections among pregnant women and assess their knowledge of developing UTIs in Lebanon. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 215 pregnant women in Lebanon recruited via convenience sampling from various gynecologists and midwives between March 2023 and May 2023. A structured questionnaire was utilized to evaluate UTI prevalence and participants' knowledge levels. Data analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics version 27. A significance level of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analyses. This analysis revealed a UTI prevalence of 42.79% (95% CI: 38.21%–47.37%), The mean age of participants was 28.57 years. Knowledge assessment revealed that 66.51% (143/215) had average knowledge about UTIs, 20.47% (44/215) demonstrated good knowledge, and 12.79% (28/215) showed poor knowledge. Significant correlations were found between UTI prevalence and socioeconomic factors (P = 0.03), indicating higher incidence among women from lower economic backgrounds. Abnormal vaginal discharge was strongly associated with UTI prevalence (P < 0.001), suggesting it as a prominent symptom or risk factor. Additionally, a history of abortion correlated significantly with increased UTI incidence (P = 0.02), highlighting its relevance in pregnancy-related UTI risk. The study underscores the need for education programs tailored to raise awareness about UTI risks during pregnancy and promote preventive measures. Implementing these programs could significantly enhance maternal health outcomes in Lebanon.

Keywords

• Pregnant women
• UTI
• Prevalence
• Level of knowledge