An Assessment of Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns Among Patients with Urinary Tract Infections at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital: January 2024-August 2024.

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) represent a significant public health concern due to the rising prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among uropathogens. This study assessed antimicrobial resistance patterns among patients with urinary tract infections at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital (SMCH) from January to August 2024. A retrospective-cross sectional research design was conducted using medical records of patients diagnosed with UTIs at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital. A sample size of 323 patients was selected using systematic sampling from the hospital database. Data on demographics, laboratory results and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were collected and descriptive statistics as well as chi-square tests were used for analysis. The study revealed a high prevalence of AMR among UTI pathogens with Escherichia coli being the predominant pathogen (33.1%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (29.1%), exhibiting high resistance rates to commonly prescribed antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin (34.88%) and ciprofloxacin (31.4%). Risk factors associated with AMR included previous antibiotic use, hospitalization as well as underlying medical conditions. In conclusion, this study highlights the very high rate of AMR among UTI pathogens at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital. The findings suggest the need for antimicrobial stewardship programs, improved infection control practices and rational antibiotic use. Recommendations include regular antimicrobial susceptibility testing, continuous education for healthcare workers and development of evidence-based treatment guidelines. The study's results have implications for patient care, public health as well as future research on AMR in Zimbabwe