title: Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant mothers: a valid and cost-effective screening test in Bangladesh.
abstract: In Bangladesh, a number of screening tests for asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy are in practice. The objective of this study was to assess the validity and cost-effectiveness of these screening tests. A total of 600 apparently healthy pregnant mothers were included in this study. The validity of the screening tests was calculated against the urine culture as 'gold standard'. Incremental cost-effective ratio between the screening test methods and the least costly method (microscopic urine analysis) was calculated. Bacterial count/oil-immersion field in Gram-stained smear of urine was the most sensitive (91.7%) and specific (97.2%). Incremental cost per additional positive cases of bacterial count, leukocyte esterase and combination of leukocyte esterase and nitrite were US$3, US$25 and US$23, respectively. Gram staining may be the alternative approach to traditional routine urinalysis for the screening of asymptomatic bacteriuria during pregnancy in clinical practice in Bangladesh, as well as other developing countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Education, School of Medical Sciences, University Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia. anayet@kb.usm.my
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ullah
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barman
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salam
mesh_terms: D001437:Bacteriuria / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000191:economics; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011934:Reagent Strips; D016482:Urinalysis / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D011934:Reagent Strips