Evaluation of female residents for urinary tract infections, Onicha Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Cases of urinary tract infections (UTIs) have been on the increase in our society, posing a threat to health causing economic and social burden on the populace especially among women and girls. This study was therefore carried out to assess the prevalence of UTIs among female residents of Igboeze-Onicha Community in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, south-eastern Nigeria. One hundred and seventy urine samples were collected and investigated using macroscopic, cultural and biochemical methods. Out of the 170 samples, 110 (64.7%) showed significant bacteriuria. The result showed that Escherichia coli had the highest prevalent rate of 54.5% (60) followed by Klebsiella spp 10.90% (12), Staphylococcus aureus 27.45% (28) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 9.09% (10). Most of the isolates were sensitive to Ampicillin, Gentamycin, Nitrofurantoin and Ofloxacin anti-biotics. According to age, the range with the highest prevalence of bacteria was 20-29 years 45 (40.90%) followed by 30-39 years 25 (22.73%) while the age range 70-79 years had the least 5 (4.54%). The result of the physio-chemical analysis showed leucocytes in 75 (44.11%) samples, protein in 46 (27.05%) samples, nitrite in 25 (14.70%) samples, bilirubin in 13 (7.64) samples and blood in 11 (6.50%) samples. Pus cells also occurred in 70 (35.85%) samples, yeast cells in 28 (14.35%) samples and casts cells occurred in 45 (23.09%) samples. The study highlights the need for creating awareness and educating the rural populace especially the females on the causes, transmission pattern, predisposing factors and manifestations of urinary tract infections.

Keywords: urinary tract, infection, females, bacteriuria, urine, Onicha-Igboeze.