Abstract: Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is common although the prevalence varies widely with age, gender and the presence or absence of genitourinary abnormalities. ASB has been reported to be associated with an increased risk of symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) especially in the presence of risk factors and may actually represent the beginning of symptomatic UTI. This study therefore sought to determine the burden of ASB and sensitivity pattern of isolates in primary school children in Enugu.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive survey involving apparently healthy primary school children aged 6 to 12 years. A pre-tested, care-giver administered questionnaire was used to obtain information about the participants including age, sex, history of fever and antibiotic usage in the two weeks preceding the study. Following a clinical examination, a sample of spot mid-stream urine was collected from each participant for dipstick urinalysis and urine microscopy and culture.
Results: Out of the 400 children, 175 (43.75%) were males and 225 (56.25%) were females. The mean age of the children was 10.13 ± 1.81 years.14.25% (57/400) of children had ASB, with gender specific prevalence of 13.7% (24/175) and 14.7% (33/225) for males and females respectively. The prevalence of ASB was higher among the early adolescents (14.4%) and lower in the pre-adolescents (13.6%). Escherichia coli (43.8%) and Staphylococcus aureus (22.8%) were the most common organisms isolated.
Conclusion: The prevalence of ASB is high in primary school children in Enugu, higher in females with Escherichia coli as the commonest bacterial isolate. Routine evaluation of these children for bacteriuria is recommended.
Keywords: Asymptomatic bacteriuria, Primary school children, Prevalence.
Title: ASYMPTOMATIC BACTERIURIA IN HEALTHY PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN ENUGU, NIGERIA
Author: Chime Paschal, Chukwu Barth, Mbanefo Ngozi, Bisi-Onyemaechi Adaobi, Chikani Ugo, Obu Herbert, Okafor Henrietta
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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