A Study of Associated Risk Factors of Urinary Tract Infection Among Pregnant Women at Kamla Raja Hospital, Gwalior

Abstract

Background Urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection caused by presence and growth of microorganism anywhere in the urinary tract. Urinary tract infection in pregnancy may also lead to unfavorable pregnancy outcomes and complication such as pyelonephritis, hypertensive disease of pregnancy, anaemia, chronic renal failure, premature delivery, low birth weight and foetal mortality. Aims and objectives: To determine the overall prevalence of UTI among pregnant women and to identify bacterial uropathogen associated with UTI in pregnant women and determine their antibiotic susceptibility to select antimicrobial agents. Materials and methods: It is a cross sectional study conducted in the department of obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kamla Raja Hospital, Gwalior (MP), for one year (February 2016-January 2017) on 300 pregnant patients with symptoms of UTI. Result and observations: Our study showed that pregnant women in their second trimester were more infected (80%) than those in comparisons to first trimester (7.5%) and 3rd trimester (12.5%) respectively which was statistically significant (p˂0.05). Prevalence of UTI is higher in pregnant women with hemoglobin level (<10gm %) as compare to pregnant women with hemoglobin (>10gm %) which was statistically significant (p<0.05). The most common pathogen isolated is E.coli. Conclusion: Antenatal women and their families should be made aware about the need for early diagnosis and efficient treatment of UTI during pregnancy. Good personal hygiene and nutrition of all antenatal women should be ensured. Need of strict aseptic and antiseptic precaution for urethral catheterization and effective management of recurrent UTI should be reinforced among health personnel.