Prevalence of urinary tract infection with asymptomatic bacteriuria among gravid females: A Pakistani multicenter cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of urinary tract infection with asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant females. Study Design: Multi-center, Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Sheikh Zayed Medical College and Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, and Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan. Period: January 2023 to June 2023. Material & Methods: A total of 260 pregnant females aged between 18 to 45 years and visiting outpatient department for antenatal check-up were analyzed. Enrolled females were interviewed and demographical and clinical data were noted. All women had their urine analysis done as a routine antenatal test. Urine culture analysis was also done at the same time. Asymptomatic bacteriuria was labeled when urine culture revealed the presence of more than 10⁵ bacteria per milliliter of urine but without showing symptoms of urinary tract infections. Results: In a total of 260 pregnant females, the mean age was 28.6±5.3 years (ranging between 18-45 years). There were 125 (48.1%) females who reported during 3^rd trimester of pregnancy. Residential status of 209 (80.4%) females was urban. There were 65 (25.0) females who were illiterate. Family monthly income of 198 (76.2%) females was below 30,000 Pakistani Rupees. Asymptomatic bacteriuria was revealed in 69 (26.5%) pregnant females. The most common urinary bacterial isolates were E. coli and Klebsiella found in 36 (52.2%) and 10 (14.5%) respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of asymptomatic bacterirua among pregnant females was high (26.5%). The most common urinary isolates found among asymptomatic bacteriuria cases were E.coli.