Risk factors of urinary tract infection in pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency, risk factors and pattern of urinary complaints during pregnancy.


METHODS
A descriptive study was conducted in the Obstetric and Gynaecology Department of Isra University Hospital, Hyderabad from 1st January to 30th August 2008. Total 232 women were selected to ascertain the frequency and pattern of urinary symptoms as well as the risk factors of urinary tract infection (UTI) such as age, parity, education, past history of UTI and haemoglobin among women attending an antenatal clinic. All pregnant women irrespective of age, parity and gestational age were included, while women with known underlying renal pathology, chronic renal disease, renal transplant, diabetes or taking immunosuppressant therapy were excluded. Informed consent was taken and data collected on a self designed proforma. All the women underwent complete examination of urine. Dipstick test was performed on midstream urine and urine was cultured incase of positive dipstick test and women with urinary symptoms. Data was analyzed on SPSS version 11. Odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were calculated among the categorical parameters by applying the Fisher's exact test.


RESULTS
Out of 232 women, 108(46.5%) reported urinary symptoms which were due to pregnancy induced changes on urinary system as no growth was obtained on urine culture, while 10 (4.3%) were due to underlying UTI. Most common urinary symptom in these women was abnormal voiding pattern 85 (40.3%) followed by irritative symptoms and voiding difficulties. Illiteracy, history of sexual activity, low socioeconomic (monthly income < Rs. 10,000 / month) group, past history of UTI and multiparity were found to be risk factors for UTI in these women. On complete urine examination, 222 (95.6%) patients either did not reveal any pus cells or had less than 5 WBC/HPF. Out of 108 cultures, only 10 (4.3%) specimens showed growth. E-coli was the most commonly detected organism 7 (3%) followed by S-aureus in 3 (1.3%).


CONCLUSIONS
The common urinary symptoms encountered in the studied women were abnormal voiding pattern followed by irritative symptoms. Majority of urinary symptoms were due to pregnancy related changes in the urinary system. Past history of UTI, sexual activity, lower socioeconomic group and multi parity were significant risk factors for UTI.
Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad Sindh, Pakistan.
Gulfareen
G
Haider
Nishat
N
Zehra
Aftab Afroze
AA
Munir
Ambreen
A
Haider
D000328:Adult; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016482:Urinalysis; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult