Prevalence of Urinary Tract Infection among Adult Females in Omu-Aran South-West Nigeria

Background: Urinary tract infection is caused by the presence and replication of microorganisms in the urinary tract. Urinary tract infection is a major health problem among females especially among pregnant women and this is caused by the physiological makeup of the female urinary tract.

Objective: This study was designed to assess the epidemiology of UTIs present amidst pregnant women and females residing in the Omu-Aran community.

Materials and Methods: A total of 100 individuals were involved of which 50 were pregnant women while the remaining 50 were non-pregnant females. Semi-structured questionnaires were distributed to all participants to obtain their data. Samples of urine (early morning midstream) were collected in universal bottles from participants. The urine specimens were cultured on four different agar plates which were; cystein lactose electrolyte deficient agar, blood agar, MacConkey agar and nutrient agar for significant bacteria growth. Microscopic and macroscopic examination was also carried out on the samples for possible detection of infections.

Results: The result of the culture showed a significant bacterial growth of 77% and 23% of the samples collected showed no significant bacterial growth. Bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus spp., Proteus species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans were isolated. With Staphylococcus aureus predominantly present and observed as the causative factor for (45.4%) occurrence of UTIs, closely followed by Staphylococcus saprophyticus (13.0%), Escherichia coli (13.0%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (9.1%) Proteus species (9.1%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (7.8%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1.3%). However the only fungi isolated was Candida albicans showing (1.3%) prevalence, Candida is the most common cause of fungal infections in humans.

Conclusion: Results obtained in this work showed a high prevalence of Urinary tract infection at our study location. A prompt enlightenment campaign and need for periodic check among females is highly advocated to reduce or out rightly eliminate the spread of common uropathogens in circulation.