Prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women: a cross-sectional study in Harare, Zimbabwe

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women registering for antenatal care. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at 4 purposively selected Harare Municipality primary care clinics. A total of 240 pregnant women asymptomatic for urinary tract infection, registering for antenatal care at 6 and 22 weeks gestation were included. Those unaware of their last menstrual period date, clinically unwell and those who declined to sign a consent form were excluded in this study. Participants were instructed to provide 20 mililiters of midstream urine samples in clean specimen bottles. All samples were screened for asymptomatic bacteriuria using Griess nitrite test. Samples that changed color from clear to purple were considered positive for asymptomatic bacteriuria. Positive samples were further sent for culture and sensitivity. A colony count of 103 similar bacterial species per mililiter of urine was considered significant for asymptomatic bacteriuria. Results: The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was 14.2% (95% CI, 10.28% to 19.22%). Participants’ mean age was 25.6, mean gestation 17.3 weeks and majority (70.8%) were unemployed. Coagulase negative staphylococcus was the most popular (29.4%) bacteria isolated, followed by Escherichia coli (23.5%). Most bacteria were sensitive to ciprofloxacin which was popularly used to treat the disease. Conclusion: Prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among pregnant women is high. Screening and treatment of the disease in pregnancy is therefore important. This could prevent pregnancy complications and adverse birth outcomes associated with it.