Aetiology and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in Pregnant Women Attending to Masvingo Provincial Hospital in 2023

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common complications during pregnancy and can lead to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes if left untreated cause perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Understanding the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of UTIs among pregnant women is crucial for guiding appropriate management strategies and optimizing maternal and neonatal health. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of UTIs, the causative bacteria the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of uropathogens among pregnant women attending Masvingo Provincial Hospital (MPH) in the year 2023. A cross sectional laboratory based analysis of laboratory records was conducted to identify pregnant women who were diagnosed with UTIs at Masvingo provincial hospital from January to December 2023. Data on patient demographics, urine culture results, and antibiotic susceptibility profiles were collected and analysed. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the prevalence of UTIs and the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of bacteria were assessed. A total of 271 pregnant women were included in the study, of which 52 were diagnosed with UTIs because of the significant positive urine culture and varying antibiotic sensitivity pattern, resulting in a prevalence rate of 19.19%. Escherichia coli was the most common uropathogen isolated (38.46%). Other microorganisms included were Staphylococcus aureus (21.15%), Klebsiella spp (17.31%), Proteus (9.61%), Streptococcus spp (5.77%), S.saprophyticiccus (3.35%) and Enterobacter (3.35%). The antibiotic susceptibility patterns varied among the identified uropathogens, with most showing high susceptibility to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin, while demonstrating lower susceptibility to ampicillin and tetracycline. These findings necessitate the importance of routine screening for UTIs during pregnancy and the need for empirical antibiotic therapy based on local susceptibility patterns to ensure optimal maternal and fetal outcomes.