PREVALENCE OF SYMPTOMATIC AND ASYMPTOMATIC BACTERIURIA AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN ATTENDING ANTENATAL CARE CLINICS AT MATERNITY AND CHILDREN HOSPITAL IN BURAIDAH-ALQASSIM

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are considered as the most common bacterial infections among pregnant women. Symptomatic and asymptomatic bacteruria (ASB) are the two types of UTIs occurring in pregnant women. Objectives: To measure the prevalence of symptomatic and asymptomatic bacteruria among pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics at Maternity and Children Hospital in Buraidah. Methods: A cross-sectional study combining the use of questionnaires and laboratory investigations was conducted among 288 pregnant women with a confirmed diagnosis of UTIs either symptomatic or asymptomatic during the period from June to July 2018. Results: Among 288 women, the highest percentage of them were from the age group 'above 30', (46.5%). Most of the cases had one or more urinary symptoms during their current pregnancy (88.2%). A total of 8.9% (12) of the cases had confirmed bacteruria according to their urine culture and sensitivity report. Bacteruria was statistically significant for the women who had parity 4 to 7 and BMI 31 and above, (p-value<0.05) as compared to women with lower parity. No other comparison was statistically significant. Conclusion: The prevalence of bacteriuria among pregnant women was found to be almost 8.9%. The higher parity and high BMI of the women significantly increase the risk of bacteruria.