Determinants of Urinary Tract Infections in Pregnant Women at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare: A One Year Retrospective Study (January 2023–December 2023)

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a significant health concern among pregnant women, particularly in low-resource settings like Zimbabwe, where diagnostic practices are often limited. This retrospective study investigated the determinants, prevalence, etiological agents, and preventative measures associated with UTIs in pregnant women at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare over a one-year period (January–December 2023). Utilizing secondary data from the hospital's Laboratory Information System (LIS), a quantitative census method was employed to capture a comprehensive dataset of 143 confirmed UTI case. A quantitative census method was used to collect the data as it provided a true measure of the selected group, minimizing sampling errors. The findings revealed that age and immune-compromised states were key determinants of UTIs. Women aged 21–30 years accounted for the highest number of infections, while comorbid conditions such as HIV and diabetes significantly increased susceptibility. Escherichia coli emerged as the predominant causative organism, followed by yeast, Staphylococcus species, and other uropathogens. The overall prevalence of UTIs among pregnant women was 33.3%. Preventative strategies highlighted included routine antenatal care, antibiotic therapy, patient education, dietary recommendations, and screening programs, with antenatal care being the most prominent intervention. The study concluded that antenatal care should be easily accessible in communities with the incorporation of mobile health clinics to enable routine screening of diseases, encouragement by health personnel to adhere to drug prescriptions and regularly visit health care facilities. Advancement in diagnostic technology, sensitive tests and the possible reduction in terms of waiting period in organism identification and isolation in the laboratory. Antimicrobial resistance should also be educated. These findings contribute critical insights for public health planning and clinical management strategies aimed at improving maternal health outcomes in Zimbabwe and similar settings.