Urinary Tract Infections amongst Pregnant Women Attending A Medical Centre IN Kaduna, Nigeria

Abstract

Urinary tract infection (UTI) constitutes a major health problem in pregnant women due to their relatively short urethra, which promotes the ascending of the pathogens to the bladder, urethra and the kidneys. It is also more common in pregnant women due to the anatomical and physiological changes that occur during pregnancy.
Aim: To determine the incidence of Urinary Tract Infections and the antimicrobial susceptibility of the microbial isolates from the urine samples of pregnant women prior to treatment.
Methods: Fifty (50) mid stream urine (MSU) samples were collected and analyzed using standard Microbiological Techniques, and the antimicrobial sensitivity tests determined using Kirby Bauer disc diffusion techniques.
Results: Of the 50 urine samples obtained from pregnant women, 3 different microbes were isolated indicating 28%. Staphylococcus aureus 18%, Escherichia coli 8%, Candida albicans 4%; and a 2% co-infection of Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were highly sensitive to Ciprofloxacin, Ofloxacin (Cilox), Paflacin and
Cephalosporine.
Conclusion: Undetected and untreated urinary tract infection in pregnancy leads to discomfort associated with abdominal pains, itching, vaginal discharge and dysuria which may lead to more serious medical  complications.

Keywords: Microbial isolates; pregnant women; anti-microbial  susceptibility; microbiological techniques; Disc diffusion.