Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women at the outpatient clinic of some governmental hospitals in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women in Imo State, Nigeria was studied. All pregnant women attending antenatal at Federal Medical Center, Owerri, General Hospital, Okigwe, and Imo State University Teaching Hospital, Orlu, between January and April 2006 and who agreed to enter the study were clinically evaluated to exclude signs of urinary tract infection. Samples of 10-15 ml urine were examined for bacteria, pus cells and parasitic ova. The samples were further cultured on cysteine lactose electrolyte deficient agar and colony counts yielding bacterial growth of 105 or more of pure isolates were deemed significant. Of the 630 pregnant women, 111 had significant bacteriuria giving a prevalence rate of 17.6%. The highest agespecific prevalence was found in the 31-40 year-olds and the lowest in the 41-50 year-olds. Socioeconomic status of the respondents had effect on the prevalence of bacteriuria and also, there was an increase in the prevalence with increase in age of gestation. The dominant isolates were Staphylococcus species and Klebsiella species with most of the isolates obtained in respondents from Owerri and Okigwe study areas.

Keywords: Prevalence, Bacteriuria, UTI, Bacteria isolates.