Urogenital Infections among Women Attending Mwingi Hospital, Kitui County, Kenya: Safeguarding Antibiotics through Microbiological Diagnosis
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Date
2024
Authors
Mbuvi, Christine Musungi
Musila, Boniface Nzioki
Nyamache, Anthony Kebira
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
EAHRC
Abstract
Background: Urogenital infections pose a considerable public health threat, as almost half of women will experience
urinary and reproductive system infections at some point in their lives. However, the urogenital infection burden is often
not clear in some regions. Nevertheless, the misuse of antimicrobial agents, including self-prescription, has increased
widespread antimicrobial resistance, limiting treatment benefits. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the various
urogenital infections, associated risk factors, and profile the bacterial isolates, and assess their antibiotic resistance
among women attending Mwingi Hospital.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 322 women aged between the ages of 15 to 44 years. Urine
and high vaginal swabs were collected from all participants and analyzed within 6 hours. Microscopic examination on
wet mounts was done, bacterial isolation was done and those with significant growth were confirmed and subjected
to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using specific media. Descriptive statistics were used in expressing the infection
frequencies and antimicrobial resistance. Odds ratios were used to determine the risk of urogenital infection. The level of
significance was considered at a P value of less than 0.05.
Results: Among the 322 women, 45.3% (146) had a urogenital infection, with bacteria being the primary cause
(26.4%). The infections included UTI (22.7%), Candidiasis (15.2%), Trichomoniasis (3.7%), Gonorrhea (2.5%), and
Bacterial vaginitis (1.2%). Antibiotic use was 32.9%, with only 2.8% receiving a microbiological diagnosis before antibiotic use. The overall antibiotic resistance was 53%, with the lowest resistance observed against penicillin and
combinations (31.4%) and 3rd Cephalosporins (39.4%). The highest resistance was observed against nalidixic acid
(74.8%) and cotrimoxazole (62.6%).
Conclusion: Women attending Mwingi Hospital are commonly affected by various urogenital infections. Antibiotic use without microbiological diagnosis was observed. Among the antibiotics tested, 3rd generation cephalosporins and penicillin combination agents were noted as the most effective in treating bacterial urogenital infections, while nalidixic
acid and cotrimoxazole were ineffective. Improved diagnosis and targeted treatments are necessary to prevent further
development of antibiotic resistance.
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Citation
Mbuvi, C. M. (2024). Urogenital Infections Among Women Attending Mwingi Hospital, Kitui County, Kenya: Safeguarding Antibiotics Through Microbiological Diagnosis. EA Health Research Journal, 8(1), 99-105.