The Etiology of Urinary Tract Infections among Pregnant Women in a Tertiary Care Hospital- A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common health issue among pregnant women, leading to adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Despite this, the etiology of UTIs among pregnant women, particularly in resource-limited settings like Bangladesh, is poorly understood. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 120 pregnant women with UTIs, admitted between January 2021 and June 2022, were included in the study following specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Result: The majority of the women was aged 18-24 years (35.83%) and had secondary education (32.50%). Anemia and proteinuria were present in 31.67% and 20.00% of the women, respectively. The primary obstetric characteristic was being primigravida (60.00%). Key risk factors of UTIs included a history of UTI (25.00%), diabetes mellitus (12.50%), frequent sexual activity (33.33%), history of urinary tract abnormalities (8.33%), use of urinary catheters (4.17%), and recent antibiotic use (20.83%). The primary etiological agent was Escherichia coli (60.00%). Conclusion: The findings underscore the need for comprehensive antenatal care, including routine screening for UTIs, anemia, and proteinuria among pregnant women in Bangladesh. Targeted interventions, such as health education and improved sanitation, are recommended to mitigate the identified risk factors. Further research on antimicrobial resistance patterns among the identified etiological agents is warranted to guide appropriate antimicrobial therapy.