Prevalence and pattern of asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy seems a common complication in our environment. This has been reported to have far reaching implications on maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.
Aim: To assess the pattern and prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in UPTH.
Methods: The study was a cross sectional study of 220 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital between 7th of January and 8th of July 2013. Their midstream urine samples were collected and cultured on two occasions at 2weeks interval. Those that had similar growth on the occasions were taken as positive for asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy. Statistical analysis of data was done using the Epi-Info software package (Version 3.3.2, 2005).
Results: Sixty five participants were positive for asymptomatic bacteriuria giving a prevalence of 29.5%. Most of the women (55%) had secondary education. The highest organism cultured was Klebsiella (35%), while 20% grew Staphylococcus aureus. Most of the cultured organism (89%) were sensitive to Nitrofurantoin.
Conclusion: The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women at the UPTH is high. The most prevalent organism was Klebsiella.

Keywords: Asymptomatic bacteriuria, Prevalence, Pattern, Klebsiella, Nitrofurantion,  Morbidity