Summary objective: Symptomatic bacteriuria is common in pregnant women and if untreated could lead to serious complications. Although asymptomatic bacteriuria could also lead to such complications, this fact is not so well known. This study was to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) Kumasi.
Design: A prospective study to screen antenatal attendants for asymptomatic bacteriuria.
Setting: The study was undertaken at KATH.
Participants: All pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at KATH, Kumasi between February and April 2003 and who agreed to enter the study were clinically evaluated to exclude signs and symptoms of urinary tract infection (UTI).
Methods: Samples of 10-15ml urine were examined for pus cells, bacteria and parasitic ova. The samples were further cultured on cysteine lactose electrolyte deficient agar and colony counts yielding bacterial growth of 10(5)/ml or more of pure isolates were deemed significant.
Results: Of the 220 pregnant women, 16 had significant bacteriuria giving a prevalence rate of 7.3%. The highest age-specific prevalence was found in the 35-39 year-olds (13%) and the lowest in the 15-19 year-olds (0.0%). There was no significant difference in prevalence with increasing parity. The dominant bacteria isolates were E. coli (37%) and Staph aureus (31%).
Conclusion: The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women at KATH is 7.3%. The predominant organisms are E.coli and Staph aureus, and most isolates are sensitive to nitrofurantoin, cefuroxime and gentamicin.