Background

One of the most prevalent bacterial illnesses that pregnant women get is urinary tract infection , which increases the risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality if treatment is not received.

Aim

Assessing the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women.

Participants and methods

The design used was exploratory and descriptive. The study was carried out at Sohag University Hospital's Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Clinic. For the study, 440 pregnant women, regardless of age, parity, or gestational age, were selected as a convenience sample. A structured interviewing schedule, a laboratory investigation record, and a UTI symptomatology tool were the three tools utilized to gather the data.

Results

The average age of the pregnant women was 22.8±6.2 years. Seventy-five-point seven percent of the pregnant women lived in rural areas, 87.3% were housewives, and 37.3% of them had completed secondary education. Additionally, 51.6% of the pregnant women were multiparous, compared to 46.3% of multigravida women. Among pregnant women with UTIs, asymptomatic bacteriuria was found in 41%. Among all pregnant women, the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was 17.3%. Using synthetic underwear, reducing fluid intake, multigravidity, employment, and educational achievement were risk factors for bacteriuria.

Conclusion

Pregnant women had a significant rate of UTI prevalence. In all, 41% of pregnant patients had asymptomatic bacteriuria. The occurrence of bacteriuria may be influenced by risk factors such as using synthetic underwear, cutting back on fluid intake, multigravidity, employment, and educational attainment.

Recommendations

Urine analysis should be performed routinely on all pregnant women at every visit.