Main Article Content
Significant Bacteriuria in Pregnancy in Enugu, Nigeria
Abstract
Objective: To determine the prevalence, demographic characteristics and microbiological assessment of the causative agents of significant bacteriuria in healthy pregnant women and its effect on pregnancy in women in Enugu, Eastern Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: A prospective study based on data obtained from healthy pregnant women seen at antenatal clinic of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) and three primary health centers in Enugu, between 15th February 1995 and 14th August 1996. Seven hundred and fifty-eighty healthy pregnant women were seen during the review period.
Results: The prevalence of bacteriuria in this study was 12.7 percent. Escherichia coli was the commonest organism (36.5%) isolated. Antimicrobial susceptibility test revealed that 98.9% of the organisms were sensitive to cephalexin and 93.8% to nitrofurantoin. The organisms were resistant to ampicillin and co-trimoxzole. The prevalence of preterm delivery, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and anaemia were higher in the study group than the control, but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Patients in the lower socio-economic class and those with pre-pregnancy history of urinary tract infection were more at risk of asymptomatic bacteriuria.
Conclusion: All pregnant women should be screened for bacteriuria and those with significant bacteriuria treated with antibiotics.
Key Words: Significant bacteriuria, pregnancy, Enugu, Nigeria.
[Jnl College of Medicine Vol.8(2) 2003: 20-22]
Materials and Methods: A prospective study based on data obtained from healthy pregnant women seen at antenatal clinic of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) and three primary health centers in Enugu, between 15th February 1995 and 14th August 1996. Seven hundred and fifty-eighty healthy pregnant women were seen during the review period.
Results: The prevalence of bacteriuria in this study was 12.7 percent. Escherichia coli was the commonest organism (36.5%) isolated. Antimicrobial susceptibility test revealed that 98.9% of the organisms were sensitive to cephalexin and 93.8% to nitrofurantoin. The organisms were resistant to ampicillin and co-trimoxzole. The prevalence of preterm delivery, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and anaemia were higher in the study group than the control, but the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Patients in the lower socio-economic class and those with pre-pregnancy history of urinary tract infection were more at risk of asymptomatic bacteriuria.
Conclusion: All pregnant women should be screened for bacteriuria and those with significant bacteriuria treated with antibiotics.
Key Words: Significant bacteriuria, pregnancy, Enugu, Nigeria.
[Jnl College of Medicine Vol.8(2) 2003: 20-22]
