Abstract
BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections in humans, both in the community and hospital settings. It is a serious health problem affecting millions of people each year and is the leading cause of Gram-negative bacteremia. We previously conducted a study on "Urinary Bacterial Profile and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of UTI among Pregnant Women in North West Ethiopia" but the study did not address risk factors associated with urinary tract infection so the aim of the study was to assess associated risk factors of UTI among pregnant women in Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Bahir Dar, North West Ethiopia. METHODS: A total of 367 pregnant women with and without symptoms of urinary tract infection(UTI) were included as a study subject from January 2011 to April 2011. Midstream urine samples were collected and processed following standard bacteriological tests. Data concerning associated risk factors were collected using structured questionnaires and were processed and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 16). RESULT: Bivarait analysis of socio-demographic characteristics and associated risk factors of UTI showed that family income level (family monthly income level ≤ 500 birr($37.85); P = 0.006, OR = 5.581, CI = 1.658, 18.793 and 501-1000 birr ($37.93-$75.70), P = 0.039, OR = 3.429, CI = 1.065, 11.034), anaemia (P = 0.003, OR = 4.388, CI = 1.776, 10.839), sexual activity (P = 0.032, OR = 3.520, CI = 1.197,10.363) and past history of UTI (P = 0.000, OR = 3.397, CI = 1.672, 6.902) were found to be factors significantly associated with increase prevalence of UTI. In contrast multiparity, history of catheterization, genitourinary abnormality, maternal age, gestational age and educational status were not significantly associated with UTI among pregnant women. CONCLUSION: In this study UTI was high among pregnant women in the presence of associated risk factor such as anaemia, low income level, past history of UTI and sexual activity.