PREVALENCE OF ASYMPTOMATIC BACTERURIA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN BASRAH CITY ESPECIALLY RELATED WITH PERSONAL HYGIENE AND SEXUAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

This cross sectional study was carried out to determine  asymptomatic urinary tract infection among pregnant women with special emphasis to personal hygiene practice during sexual activity, mid stream specimen from healthy pregnant women was collected and cultured following standard microbiological technique. Colony count yielding bacterial growth 10⁵/mil or more was considered significant. Out of 215 healthy pregnant woman 38 (17.7%) had asymptomatic urinary tract infection, educational level for pregnant women was taken and it was found statistically significant in relation to asymptomatic urinary tract infection. Urinary tract infection increase with increasing gestational age, in second trimester it was found to be (11.6%) while in third trimester (37.7%). Personal hygiene, washing before and after sexual activity, drying after urination, changing under clothing, direction of wash, has no significant relationship to asymptomatic urinary tract infection. Frequency of sexual activity increase prevalence of asymptomatic urinary tract infection. 31.9% of pregnant women who had a history of previous UTI had a positive growth with high significant differences as compared with those who had no history of UTI. Fluid intake decreases prevalence of urinary tract infection among pregnant women (significant relationship). Bacterial pathogens isolated were predominantly E. Coli (36%) and klebsiella pneumonia (15%), while enterococcus, streptococcus and staphylococcus account only for (7.8%) for each. Candida (3.8%) and mixed pathogens (7.8%)