Abstract:

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are caused by a range of pathogens, most commonly by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Enterococus faecalis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. UTIs affect all age groups and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality particularly in hospitalized patients. High recurrence rates and increasing antimicrobial resistance among uropathogens threaten to greatly increase the economic burden of these infections.

Objective: The study aimed at determining prevalence and patterns of bacteria causing symptomatic urinary tract infections among adults and children at Sengerema district.

Methods: A cross sectional hospital based study was conducted from May to June 2019 in Sengerema Designated District Hospital. Urine samples were collected from patients presenting with signs and symptoms of Urinary Tract Infections. Data was collected from participants using pre tested structured questionnaires. Detection of bacteria causing UTIs from urine was done using standard urine culture. Data was analysed using STATA version 13 as per study objectives.

Results: Significant bacteriuria was observed in 96/377 (25.4%). Urinary tract infections were highest in females 71/96 (73.9%) as compared to 25/96 (26.0%) in males. Escherichia coli was the most prevalent bacterial uropathogen with 50/96 (52.0%). The isolated bacteria showed a wide range of differences in their susceptibility patterns to the tested antibiotics. The results indicated high proportions of the test organisms were highly sensitive to Meropenem, Piperacillin Tazobactam, Amikacin and Nitrofurantoin.

Conclusion and Recommendation: In this study, Amikacin and Nitrofurantoin were found to be the most appropriate antibiotics, for the empirical therapy of UTIs. But due to the emerging antimicrobial resistance, it is strongly recommended that the antibiotic therapy should only be commenced after the culture and sensitivity report from the microbiology laboratories. This would not only help in the sensible use of antibiotics but also would restrain the spreading of antimicrobial resistant strains in the community as well as in the hospitals.