Bacterial urinary tract infection among pregnant women in Sana'a City Yemen

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is considered to be the most common bacterial infection during pregnancy. This study was designed to determine the prevalence of UTI among pregnant women, to identify the risk factors associated with UTI, to isolate and identify bacteria that are responsible for UTI and to determine the activity of some antibiotics against isolated bacteria. A total of 400 midstream urine specimens were collected from pregnant women (PW) and non-pregnant women (NPW). Identification and antibiotic sensitivity tests were made for the isolated bacteria. The prevalence rates of UTI in PW and NPW were 24.3% and 18.0% respectively. The association between pregnancy and UTI was not statistically significant (P=0.19). The higher prevalence rate of UTI was found in the age group 21-25 years old. However, there was no statistical significant association between age and UTI. The second trimester and third trimester were associated with higher prevalence of UTI (38.3%) and (37.0%), respectively but it was not statistically significant. High frequency of urination and lower abdominal pain were the most common symptoms. There was no statistical association between UTI and contraceptive use. The most common isolates were S. aureus and E.Coli, while the most effective antibiotics for most bacterial isolates were ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and norofloxacin. (author)