Prevalence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria among Antenatal Patients at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Nigeria

Introduction: Urinary tract infections pathogens are common among pregnant women but the detection and treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy will prevents urinary tract infection and its consequences in pregnancy. Therefore, this research set out to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria and its socio-demographic characteristics amongst pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja.

Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. One hundred and twenty-five consecutive asymptomatic pregnant women who attend antenatal clinic were recruited and were well informed to collect clean catch midstream urine aseptically.

Results: Urine samples of 125 asymptomatic pregnant women were examined and screened for bacteria pathogens, 16 had positive urine cultures giving asymptomatic bacteriuria prevalence rate of 12.8%. Positive urine cultures were more common in women of low parity (81.5%) and those in the age group 30-34 years (50.0%). It was also most common in the second trimester of pregnancy (81.3%) and among women with tertiary education (68.8%). The bacteria isolated were sensitive to nitrofurantoin in 87.5% of cases and to amoxyclav in 6.3% of cases.

Conclusion: The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in our centre is relatively high. Laboratory investigations still remain relevant in corroborating the clinical entity despite no symptoms.