Asymptomatic Bacteriuria among Pregnant Women at University Hospital in Uyo, Nigeria: Prevalence, Risk Factors and Characteristics

Aims: To determine the prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at the University of Uyo Teaching hospital health care facility, Akwa Ibom State.

Study Design: A cross-sectional study of registered pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was done from October 2012 to April 2013 at University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria.

Methodology: A total of 230 clean catch midstream urine samples from pregnant women were collected and processed for significant bacteriuria as well as data from structured questionnaire were used in this study. Samples were examined macroscopically and microscopically and isolates were identified biochemically. All results were statistically analysed at P ≤ 0.05 using SPSS version 20.

Results: The prevalence of asymptomatic UTI in this study was 19%. The common isolates involved with asymptomatic bacteriuria in this study were Escherichia coli (48%), Staphylococcus aureus (11%) and Klebsiella species (9%). Prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was highest in women over 30 years of age (33%) and within their first trimester (32%). Pregnant women with primary level of education in the hospital also had the highest prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria (43%). However, the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was observed to occur independently of factors such as parity, occupation, pyuria, glycosuria and proteinuria. The most prevalent isolate, E. coli, in this study was sensitive to ceftriaxone (100%) and negative for the production of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL). Staphylococcus aureus, next in order of prevalence was sensitive to gentamicin (100%). All other isolates varied in their sensitivity to the antibiotics they were exposed to.

Conclusion: The presence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in this study occurred independently of factors such as parity, occupation, pyuria, glycosuria and proteinuria but there were observable relationship between maternal ages, gestational age and lower educational level of the women and the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria.