Urinary Tract Infection among Pregnant Women and its Associated Risk Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Urinary tract infection is widespread among pregnant women and is accompanying adverse maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes. Even so, no data exist regarding this problem in Wadi Addawser to guide specific management and thus to avert the adverse consequences. The study aimed to assess the urinary tract infection among pregnant women and its associated risk factors and to investigate the most common antibacterial agent used by infected pregnant women. A total of 303 pregnant women who attend the obstetrics and gynecology clinic with the inclusion criteria were included. The sample was collected using a structured interview. The study results showed, 53.5 % of the studied women had positive pathogens in the urine culture. E. coli (37%) followed by Klebsiella pneumonia (27%) had the highest percentage of the isolated pathogens. Amoxicillin and cefoxitin (40.1% &21.6%, respectively) are the most antibiotics used by infected women, while the lowest used antibiotics are fusidic acid (5.6%). The clinical symptoms such as frequency of micturition, dysuria, lower abdominal pain, urine color change, painful burning sensation, incomplete bladder evacuation were e most common among infected women. Since the symptoms are a good predictor for urinary tract infection during pregnancy, so early screening for pathogens and proper treatment for infected cases should be applied.