County Region Research Articles

Impacts of historical droughts on maize and soybean production in the southeastern United States

The trend of yield losses to drought in United States (U.S.) agriculture has increased over the years, in spite of financial investments and technological development to alleviate drought impacts. As climate change threatens to worsen future drought conditions, it is crucial to evaluate drought impacts on crop production for efficient yet robust decision-making at the regional level. This study evaluated the robustness of modified Standardized Precipitation Indices (SPIs) using effective precipitation (EP) and the Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) in assessing drought impacts on county-level maize and soybean yields in the southeastern U.S during 1979–2019. The results showed that the modified SPI using the CROPWAT EP formula can be as effective as SPEI in assessing drought impacts on crop production. Assessment of drought impacts on crop yield year-to-year variability was then assessed by fitting linear regression through the yield-drought time series. Probability of yield loss due to drought in the region was estimated by using a copula-based probabilistic model. Results show that drought events occurring during the critical development growth stage had significantly negative impacts on year-to-year yield variability in over 50% of the counties in the study region, though the impact magnitude varied across the region due to different characteristics, historical climatic condition and irrigation infrastructure. On average, an extremely dry event occurring during the critical development growth stage resulted in a region-wide average yield reduction between − 42.7% and − 31.9% for maize and between − 25.4% and − 23.4% for soybean. Moderately wet conditions may increase crop yield, but excessively wet conditions may diminish the benefits for both crops. The average probability of yield loss of the study region under the extremely dry condition is more than 80%. Irrigation may help to reduce the impacts of drought on crop production: maize-producing irrigated counties on average were found to be 50% less sensitive to drought than non-irrigated counties, though this effect is smaller for soybean. As crop production in the region is highly vulnerable to drought, adaptation interventions under are required to adapt to warming climate scenarios.

Coupling and Coordination of Traffic and Tourism Development in Pucheng county Region Spatio-temporal Characteristics

The comprehensive development evaluation system of county transportation and tourism system was constructed, and the spatio-temporal characteristics of the coupled and coordinated development of pucheng county transportation and tourism system were analyzed by using the coupled and coordinated model. The results show that:1)In terms of the time series change of comprehensive development level, the development level of county transportation and tourism system showed a trend of sustained growth or steady development from 2016 to 2019, and the tourism development improved in 2020, but the county transportation was greatly affected by the epidemic situation, and the changes fluctuated obviously, and the two changes were unbalanced.2)On the change of coupling and coordination time series, the coupling degree remained at a high level with no obvious fluctuation, and the overall level of coupling and coordination was high, which indicated that traffic development effectively promoted the development of tourism.3)In the spatial evolution of coupling and coordination development, the coupling and coordination degree of counties in Weinan City in 2019 and 2020 is quite different. Except Fuping County and Chengcheng County, the coupling and coordination of transportation and tourism systems in all counties changed from coordination to imbalance. Pucheng county developed from primary coordination in 2019 to serious imbalance in 2020, which was greatly affected by the epidemic. Finally, based on the actual situation in Pucheng county, some suggestions are put forward for the development of county transportation and tourism.

Heterogeneous mechanisms of urban land price in China: a perspective of natural restrictions and strategic supply

Analyzing how the underlying mechanism influences land value changes is essential to understanding the land market, which contributes to sustainable urbanization. Drawing upon a land transaction dataset, we analyze the determinants of urban land prices from 2008 to 2020, considering land supply and demands, with particular attention to natural restrictions and government interventions in China. The statistical analysis suggests that the inequality in industrial and commercial land prices rose from 2008 to 2015 and decreased after 2015. The inequality in residential land prices has kept rising from 2008 to 2020 because land finance is still essential to local government. Discriminatory price strategy for industrial land prices in eastern China is getting more popular. The regression models reveal the significant negative impact of natural restrictions on land price, and such impact from natural restrictions is decreasing after 2015. The market forces represented by city-level socioeconomic factors are becoming more important after 2015, indicating a more free land market in China. We also find the gaps between cities and counties in land prices are closing, which might benefit the recent development in rural and county region of China. These findings provide important insights into the transition in the land market in China from 2008 to 2020, which also contribute to a better understanding of the spatial inequality in the land market and the heterogeneity in different land-use types.

Estudio comparativo de muertes relacionadas con el COVID-19, homicidios y contaminación del aire en la región transfronteriza Mexicali-Imperial County (2018–2020)

This comparative study analyzes the absolute numbers and death rates of air pollution-related fatal victims, intentional homicides, and COVID-19 losses from 2018 to 2020 in the Mexicali (Baja California, Mexico) and Imperial County (California, United States) cross-border region. The analysis is nourished with quantitative data from secondary sources, systematized by all three levels of government authorities in the case of Mexicali and federal authorities in the Imperial County case. Evidence reveals that air pollution, homicides, and COVID-19 have had a differential impact on both sides of the border. While the COVID-19 pandemic was devastating in multiple aspects, air pollution-related mortality rates in the Mexicali-Imperial County cross-border region were five times higher than those of COVID-19. Mexicali was the most distressed “side” of the border in absolute numbers. However, by population rate, Imperial County was the most disturbed. Therefore, this situation reflects a shared priority for state and municipal authorities on both sides of the border.

Abstract 725: Prostate cancer risk disparities and sociocultural factors in men of African ancestry

Abstract Introduction: The purpose of this research study was to quantify the prostate cancer (PCa) mortality rate in Men of African Ancestry (MAA) living in the State of Florida, the tri-county region of South Florida including Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade, and to explore the embodiment of sociocultural factors that contribute to the PCa disparity in the United State (U.S.). Method: A quantitative, non-experimental, descriptive study design was used to identify differences in the resident PCa mortality rate in MAA stratified based on single race of Black and birth origin of Haiti (HA), Jamaica (JA), or the United States (U.S.). The intersection of health disparities and the embodiment of chronic exposure to sociocultural stressors was also explored. Results: The Paired t-Test was used for statistical testing. The results indicated death from PCa is a health disparity in MAA in Florida when examined in aggregate by ancestry and disaggregate by birth origin. In the state of Florida, when the PCa death rate was viewed in aggregate by ancestry, a significant difference was found between MAA and Men of European Ancestry (MEA) (t(2)=4.303, p≤.01). There was a statistically significant relationship found between being MAA and death from PCa (r=.866, p≤.01). This suggests there are place based health disparities among MAA in the State of Florida. When the PCa mortality rate in MAA in the tri county region of South Florida was examined in aggregate by ancestry versus disaggregate by birth origin a significant difference was shown between MAA and HA born men (t(2)=4.30, p=0.05). No difference was shown between MAA and U.S., or JA born men. By county, the highest death rate was found in JA born men in Miami-Dade, and HA born men in Broward and Palm Beach. Overall, the lowest death rates in each county were found in U.S. born men. The results suggest that there are clear placed based and birth origin disparities in the South Florida region. Conclusions: Examining differences in the PCa mortality rates in MAA in disaggregate by birth origin provides opportunity for the observation of sociocultural factors that affect health such as cultural beliefs and fears, chronic exposure to stressors such as structural and explicit racism and racialization in the U.S, immigration status and barriers to healthcare; all sociocultural factors that if examined may aid in explaining the increased rate of PCa death experienced by MAA and why the disparity exists. Citation Format: Joan M. Brown. Prostate cancer risk disparities and sociocultural factors in men of African ancestry [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 725.

Water Availability in China's Oases Decreased Between 1987 and 2017

AbstractThe significant expansion of China's oases during recent decades has inevitably increased water demand, profoundly affecting the regional water budget. While streamflow and precipitation have increased in China's oases under climate change, it remains uncertain whether this augmented water supply will suffice to meet the increasing water demand of oases, presenting a great challenge to guarantee regional water security. Here we used a process‐based crop water model, oasis land use datasets, vegetation maps, and observational data on streamflow and grain production to estimate the impacts of China's oasis dynamics on regional water resources from 1987 to 2017. We found that the water demand in oases significantly increased during 1987–2017, and oasis areas that have existed since 1987 accounted for a greater proportion of the increased water demand than newly expanded oasis areas. Although increases in precipitation and streamflow largely offset the additional water demand, 60.3% of counties in oasis regions experienced a decrease in water availability after 1987 because of a spatiotemporal mismatch between water supply and demand, and some counties suffered water deficits. Our findings provide a quantified basis for identifying and optimizing water use structures for water security in oases.

Off-Grid Hybrid Renewable Energy System Operation in Different Scenarios for Household Consumers

Off-grid hybrid renewable energy systems represent the most modern and flexible solutions that can cover a wide range of energy efficiency needs for household consumers. In the current context, these systems must be taken into account by most household consumers, given the fact that the price of energy has increased. This paper proposes an experimental analysis of the behavior of such a system, in real operating conditions, considering two renewable energy sources, wind and photovoltaic sources, using an experimental stand. It can be considered a testing platform for hybrid energy production systems, in that the power installed in the two sources can be scaled up. The platform has the advantage of allowing the implementation of different load and wind curves through a programmable logic controller; in this way, it is possible to evaluate the degree of coverage of the energy consumption produced from renewable sources, in the north-east of Romania, in the Suceava County region. The experimental study also involves an analysis of the storage capacity in relation to the consumption and the electricity produced by the two renewable sources. In this regard, three scenarios differentiated by the state of charge (30%, 50% and 70%) have been established. The results indicate that, for each of the imposed scenarios, the energy required to cover consumption is produced by renewable energy sources (42%, 47% and 53%), to which the energy stored in batteries (39%, 28% and 18%) is added.

Factors Influencing the Implementation of Strategic Plans among Western Region County Governments in Kenya

Purpose: The success of implementation of strategic plans needs to be effective with institutional factors in county governments. County governments need to generate maximum output and commit towards achievement of goals. The purpose of the study is to establish the factors influencing implementation of strategic plans among western region county governments in Kenya. The study specifically sought to establish the influence of organization culture, organization structure, corporate leadership styles and resource allocation on implementation of strategic plans in western region county governments in Kenya. The study was anchored on Open-Systems Theory, Behavioural Theory, and Resource-Based Theory.
 Methodology: The study used descriptive research design. The study targeted County governments in the western region. 10 county governments were used whereby 6 were analyzed from Nyanza and 4 from western region counties. Proportionate stratified sampling technique was employed from 249 study subjects who were selected randomly. The study used primary data by semi structured questionnaires. After data collection, quantitative data was coded using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Data was analyzed through descriptive statistical methods such as means, standard deviation, frequencies and percentage. Inferential analysis which includes correlation analysis and regression analysis was computed to test the relationship between the explanatory variables and the explained variable. The findings were presented in tables and figures.
 Findings: The study concludes that organization culture has significant effect on strategic plan implementation among western region county governments in Kenya. In addition, the study concludes that organization structure has significant effect on strategic plan implementation among western region county governments in Kenya. Further, the study concludes that leadership styles have significant effect on strategic plan implementation among western region county governments in Kenya. The study also concludes that financial resources have significant effect on strategic plan implementation among western region county governments in Kenya.
 Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This study therefore recommends that the management of county governments in Kenya should adopt an organization culture which is conducive and enhances strategic plan implementation. Further, the management of county governments in Kenya should formulate and implement an effective framework for financial resource acquisition and allocation.

The COVID-19-wildfire smoke paradox: Reduced risk of all-cause mortality due to wildfire smoke in Colorado during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundIn 2020, the American West faced two competing challenges: the COVID-19 pandemic and the worst wildfire season on record. Several studies have investigated the impact of wildfire smoke (WFS) on COVID-19 morbidity and mortality, but little is known about how these two public health challenges impact mortality risk for other causes. ObjectivesUsing a time-series design, we evaluated how daily risk of mortality due to WFS exposure differed for periods before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsOur study included daily data for 11 counties in the Front Range region of Colorado (2010–2020). We assessed WFS exposure using data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and used mortality counts from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. We estimated the interaction between WFS and the pandemic (an indicator variable) on mortality risk using generalized additive models adjusted for year, day of week, fine particulate matter, ozone, temperature, and a smoothed term for day of year. ResultsWFS impacted the study area on 10% of county-days. We observed a positive association between the presence of WFS and all-cause mortality risk (incidence rate ratio (IRR) = 1.03, 95%CI: 1.01–1.04 for same-day exposures) during the period before the pandemic; however, WFS exposure during the pandemic resulted in decreased risk of all-cause mortality (IRR = 0.90, 95%CI: 0.87–0.93 for same-day exposures). DiscussionWe hypothesize that mitigation efforts during the first year of the pandemic, e.g., mask mandates, along with high ambient WFS levels encouraged health behaviors that reduced exposure to WFS and reduced risk of all-cause mortality. Our results suggest a need to examine how associations between WFS and mortality are impacted by pandemic-related factors and that there may be lessons from the pandemic that could be translated into health-protective policies during future wildfire events.

Abundance of Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Megacopta cribraria (Hemiptera: Plataspidae) in Soybean in Areas with Few Previous Sightings in Tennessee.

Halyomorpha halys (Stål) and Megacopta cribraria (Fabricius) are two exotic invasive pests that have invaded the United States in recent years. Halyomorpha halys can damage various fruits, vegetables, and field crops, such as soybean and corn, while Megacopta cribraria only attacks soybean and kudzu, a weed species. They are currently found in southeastern states and threaten soybean and other crops grown in the region. This study evaluated the seasonal abundance of H. halys and M. cribraria in soybeans in 2016 and 2017 in two counties in the central region of Tennessee, where both species had either a few sightings or none that were recorded when this research was being planned. Lures and sweep sampling were used to monitor H. halys, and sweep sampling was used to monitor M. cribraria. Halyomorpha halys was first detected in samples in late July. Their numbers increased in early to mid-September, reached the economic threshold in late Sept, and then started to decline. Megacopta cribraria was first detected in mid to late July, increased their populations in September, but did not reach the economic threshold and declined mid-October. Our results showed the seasonal abundances of H. halys and M. cribraria and their establishment in the central region of Tennessee.

Tsunami Risk Change Analysis for Qidong County of China Based on Land Use Classification

Tsunamis can cause high numbers of casualties, as well as direct and indirect economic losses to coastal regions. The huge destructiveness of tsunamis requires us to study tsunami risk and its temporal change. We adopt the tsunami scenarios of the Ryukyu Trench as an example to analyze the temporal change in tsunami risk. According to the tsunami numerical model results, the tsunami inundation in the worst tsunami scenario covered an area of 82.83 km2. Satellite data including Landsat 8 images from July 2013 and Landsat 9 images from March 2022 were used with the random forest (RF) method to analyze land use and tsunami vulnerability in 2013 and 2022. The tsunami risk and its temporal change were analyzed by integrating tsunami hazard and tsunami vulnerability. The tsunami risk change analysis results show that the area of tsunami risk level 1 increased by 4.57 km2, and the area of tsunami risk level 4 decreased by 7.31 km2. By analyzing changes in land use and land cover (LULC) and tsunami risk, we concluded that the expansion of constructed land and the increase in coastal population were responsible for the increase in tsunami risk. The results of tsunami risk change analysis will help us understand the current tsunami risk and predict possible future risk change. In addition, it is necessary to prepare tsunami prevention measures in advance and produce tsunami emergency response plans for Qidong County and other regions under potential tsunami threat.

Modelling cultural ecosystem services in agricultural dykelands and tidal wetlands to inform coastal infrastructure decisions: A social media data approach

Agricultural dykelands and tidal wetlands around Canada’s Bay of Fundy are experiencing increasingly severe impacts from sea level rise and climate change, leading to management challenges. Managers will have to decide which dykes to reinforce, which to realign or remove, and where to restore wetlands. These decisions will have important impacts on the ecosystem services provided by different landscapes and the beneficiaries who use them. Cultural ecosystem services (CES) are non-material benefits that play a significant role in human-nature relationships. Previous research in the region has indicated strong local dykeland attachments and CES but provided little insight about tidal wetland uses and values. Using the Kings County region as a study area, we identify CES provided by the area through text analysis of Instagram data and map the CES using the SolVES model combined with environmental data. Revealed differences in CES delivery from agricultural dykelands and tidal wetlands provide spatial insight for coastal planning. The results show that agricultural dykelands have a higher supply capacity for cultural heritage/diversity, education and knowledge systems and social relations and relational values; tidal wetlands have a higher supply capacity for sense of place and terroir. For aesthetics, inspiration and art, and recreation and tourism, the two landscapes are comparable in delivery. In the small proportion of the two landscapes where CES are modelled as being present they often overlap, demonstrating multifunctionality, with an average of 1.4 services provided by a given area of agricultural dykelands and 2.6 services by tidal wetlands.

Neurotology Workforce in the United States: Gender Diversity and Geographic Distribution

The workforce of neurotology has changed with increasing numbers of accredited programs and diverse representation among trainees over the past several decades. This study aims to describe the characteristics, density, and geographic variation of the current neurotology workforce in the United States. Cross-sectional study. American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery portal and online search. The study cohort included physicians certified in Neurotology by the American Board of Otolaryngology as of 2021 (n = 372). Physician characteristics including years of practice, gender, practice setting, and location were collected. Geographic variation analysis was performed by the state, county, and hospital referral region. Associations between the number of neurotologists per population and socioeconomic characteristics were assessed using multivariable regression analysis. Among 372 neurotologists, 65% practiced in academic settings and 13% were female. The percentage of female neurotologists increased from 0% among neurotologists with ≥30 years of practice to 23% among <10 years of practice. There were no differences in a practice setting by gender. The geographical analysis demonstrated that the average number of neurotologists was 1.1 per 1 million Americans. In a multivariable model, the density of neurotologists was significantly higher within counties with the highest quartiles of college education (β = .6 [95% confidence interval, CI: 0.3-0.8]) and income (β = .3 [95% CI: 0.1-0.6]). The number of board-certified neurotologists has gradually increased and there have been trends toward greater gender diversity. The geographical distribution of neurotology practice was concentrated in counties with higher socioeconomic status as expected given the referral-based nature of the subspecialty. There should be efforts to reach out to low socioeconomic communities to ensure equivalent access to neurotological care.

Resource curse and growth challenges in MENA oil exporter countries: A case for governance reforms in the post Arab Spring uprisings context

AbstractIn the theoretical backdrop of the resource curse problems confronting the resource‐rich countries, this paper, primarily examines the impact of oil rents on economic growth and the related resource curse symptoms in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) oil exporter countries. The existence of and too much dependence on natural resources prevents many oil, gas, and mineral‐rich nations from reaping their full growth potential. They are generally less stable economically, more autocratic, and more vulnerable to conflicts than countries without these resources. The paper then critically discusses the role of governance in averting the resource curse problems by adopting oil rents throughout the pre and post Arab Spring revolution during 1996–2019 as an economic tool for diversification. We apply the fixed‐effects model and the pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) estimations, in addition to the generalized estimating equations (GEE). It is found that oil rents have a positive impact on the growth of MENA countries, posing serious resource curse challenges in the emerging context. While diversification through governance plays an important role, oil rents hamper economic diversification leading to rent‐seeking activities. The results of the paper provide important policy implications for oil exporting counties in the MENA region.

Racial differences in drug court referral, admission, and graduation rates: findings from two states and eight counties

Drug courts are often the last chance for criminal justice-involved persons with substance use disorders to avoid incarceration. Given this stark reality, participation in drug court should not be influenced by race. This study tracks cohorts of drug court referrals to compare referral, admission, and graduation rates by race in two states and eight counties in diverse regions of the United States. We compared admission and graduation rates by race in each state or county using tests of the difference between independent proportions, displayed graphically with longitudinal state-level data. Black persons had lower referral and admission rates in nearly all jurisdictions for which requisite data were available, and lower graduation rates in six of the ten jurisdictions. In statewide analyses for which adequate longitudinal data were available, racial differences in admission and graduation rates persisted for up to a decade. Practice and policy recommendations are offered to improve measurement of cultural disparities in drug courts and the broader justice system and implement remedial strategies.

Study on the Path of Integrated Development of Urban and Rural Areas in Kaifeng with County Region as Carrier

Study on the Path of Integrated Development of Urban and Rural Areas in Kaifeng with County Region as Carrier

Late-Season Decline: A New Bacterial Disease of Corn Identified in the Texas Panhandle

The genus Pantoea has historically been associated with two diseases of corn, Stewart's wilt caused by P. stewartii and necrotic or white leaf spots or streaks and stalk rot caused by P. ananatis. In 2020 and 2021, a sudden and unusual decline of corn stands was observed in corn fields in two counties in the Texas High Plains region. Symptoms observed included initial light green, elongated, slightly translucent, and nonchlorotic streaked lesions with nonwavy margins that developed on leaf blades during corn vegetative growth stages, with lesions becoming necrotic at the onset of crop reproduction. Additionally, stunting of affected plants, poor ear development, and stalk rot were associated with affected stands. Diagnosis of symptomatic tissues consistently recovered bacteria. BLAST searches of the partial 16S rRNA sequences of the bacterial isolates identified them as belonging to the genus Pantoea. Investigations of the pathogenicity of two bacterial isolates, B566 and B623, under greenhouse conditions relying on Koch's postulates resulted in the development of symptoms identical to those observed on symptomatic field corn plants. The two bacteria were also successfully recovered from symptomatic leaf and stem tissues, thus satisfying Koch's postulates. Sequence analysis showed that these isolates are closely related to P. ananatis but also phylogenetically distinct. The findings from this study provide evidence for a new disease of corn caused by two Pantoea species that can result in stand decline of infected corn plants.

Disparities in Mortality Between Appalachian and non-Appalachian Regions of Kentucky.

In the opioid epidemic, the U.S. faces a significant public health crisis, with some areas of the country, such as rural and Appalachian regions, suffering more than others. The differential regional impact of the crisis in Kentucky-a state with both non-metropolitan/metropolitan and Appalachian/Non-Appalachian statuses-has not yet been documented despite such knowledge being essential to the success of overdose prevention efforts. This study compares all-cause, drug- and opioid-related mortality between counties in different regions of Kentucky: Appalachian non-metropolitan, Appalachian metropolitan, non-Appalachian non-metropolitan, and non-Appalachian metropolitan. Age-adjusted mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER, 2000-2019) were used. County-level demographic and socioeconomic data were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 American Community Survey. Statistical analyses were performed with negative binomial regression models with a log link. The Appalachian non-metropolitan region of Kentucky had a significantly higher (p < .05) all-cause mortality (1,076/100,000) compared to the state's non-Appalachian metropolitan (904/100,000), non-Appalachian non-metropolitan (959/100,000), and Appalachian metropolitan (938/100,000) regions. Within non-Appalachian regions, non-metropolitan rates were higher than metropolitan (p = .0006). For drug- and opioid-related mortality, non-metropolitan and metropolitan regions had comparable rates within non-Appalachia, as well as within Appalachia. Appalachian regions had twice the mortality rates of non-Appalachian regions of the state (p < .05). Among the Appalachian counties, non-metropolitan counties had higher all-cause mortality than metropolitan counties. The findings from this study can help healthcare practitioners and public health officials develop interventions addressing drug-related and opioid-related mortality in Kentucky targeted to the regions where rates are significantly higher. Also, the information on geographic, demographic, and socioeconomic factors related to these types of mortality can be used to design interventions specific to the target population's socio-demographics.

Research on Inner Mongolia's Characteristic Tourism from the Perspective of Industrial Integration

Tourism has played an important role in poverty alleviation in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. However, in the development of tourism, there are still problems such as insufficient resource development, insufficient awareness of industrial integration development, and lack of "intellectual" support for tourism development. Under the circumstance that all poverty-stricken areas and counties in the autonomous region have been lifted out of poverty, tourism poverty alleviation needs to further give play to the advantages of characteristic natural resources, integrate national characteristic culture, develop vocational education and promote the integration of industry and education, so as to achieve the goal of eliminating relative poverty in poverty-stricken areas in the autonomous region by relying on tourism.

Variation in Progesterone Levels and Urinary Tract Infections in Pregnant Women Attending Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya

Background and Aims: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common among pregnant women and major predisposing factors for pyelonephritis linked to obstetrical complications including preterm labour and low infants’ birth weights. This study sought to determine the relationship(s) between pregnancy trimesters, UTIs and changes in progesterone levels among pregnant women. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 2016 at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) antenatal clinic which is a referral facility that attends to patients from most Counties in western region of Kenya. A cross-sectional study design was used to collect blood and urine specimens from 78 participants. Blood was used to determine progesterone levels using ELISA technique and urine cultures with bacterial colony counts ≥ 105 were appropriately identified to species level. Trimester periods and participants’ demographic information were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Results: Culture results showed that the most abundant bacterial species isolated in urine from the pregnant women was Escherechia coli (63.7%). The more affected age-group was women between 30 - 39 years during trimester three, suggesting that bacterial colonization of genital track occurred more frequently in older compared to the younger women. There was an exponential increase in progesterone levels among the pregnant women during trimester three compared to other trimesters, although these increases occurred independent of age. However, high levels of progesterone among pregnant women in third trimester corresponded with increased number of E. coli causing UTI. Conclusion: The results showed that progesterone levels increase with trimester and the most prevalent bacteria associated with this was E. coli even though age and increase in progesterone levels had no significant impact on E. coli infection.