The Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria and Associated Factors among Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Lower Mulago Hospital, Uganda

Abstract

Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) complicates 2-14% of pregnancies. If not treated in pregnancy it may progress to symptomatic urinary tract infection in 25 % of the cases. Some of the complications of untreated ASB in pregnancy include maternal anaemia, pregnancy and premature rupture of membranes.  In the fetus it may cause abortion, and premature labour. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy and associated factors.  This cross sectional study was carried out in lower Mulago hospital antenatal clinic. We consecutively recruited 385 women with no symptoms of urinary tract infection. The outcome of interest was asymptomatic bacteriuria. A questionnaire was used to record clients’ data. Urine specimens were taken for culture and sensitivity. The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteria was determined. Bivariate analysis was done to find the association between asymptomatic bacteriuria, with maternal risk factors. Four hundred and eight (408) pregnant women were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of ASB+ was found to be 12.2%.The factors associated with asymptomatic bacteriuria were maternal age ≥35 years, OR 2.84, 95 % CI ( 1.2-6.4), Gravidity≥5, OR 2.2, 95%CI  (1.1-4.4), history of UTI, OR 2.6, 95 % CI (1.3-5.1). The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among women attending antenatal clinic in lower Mulago hospital is high.  Screening for asymptomatic bacteriuria should be done for all women attending lower Mulago hospital antenatal clinic with particular emphasis in all women of the age of  ³ 35 years, multiparous women and those with history of urinary tract infection.