THE PREVALENCE OF BACTERIAL URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS (UTI) AMONG WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CLINIC IN THE GENERAL HOSPITAL, MINNA IN NIGER STATE

Background: Bacterial Urinary tract infection is common in pregnancy and may lead to complications such as preterm labor and premature rupture of membrane if untreated. Aim: This study investigates the prevalence of urinary tract infection (UTI) among women attending antenatal clinic in the general hospital, Minna. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 urine samples were collected and analyzed for the presence of bacteria. Results: Of the total number of samples investigated, 75 (75.0%) were found to be positive for bacterial UTI. The distribution of infection on the basis of age revealed prevalence rates of 100.0%, 94.4% and 64.0% for age groups 30-39, 20-29 and 40-49 respectively. The prevalence rates for the groups were found to be significantly high (P> 0.05). One hundred and ten bacterial agents were isolated, characterized and identified. Klebsiella spp showed the highest frequency of occurrence of 43 (39.1%) and followed in descending order by Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Proetus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella spp with 31 (28.2%), 23 (20.9%), 11(10.0%) 1 (0.9%) and 1 (0.9%) respectively. Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of bacterial UTI in the study area for all the age groups investigated. The result underscores the need for the implementation of a control program in the area.