Vol. 4, Issue 8, Part B (2018)

Abstract
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are most frequent clinical bacterial infections in women. Patients with positive urine cultures who lack symptoms of a UTI have the diagnosis of asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB). Asymptomatic Bacteriuria is a dynamic process in particular women. The risk of ASB increases with increasing parity, lower socioeconomic status, increasing age, sexual activity, sickle cell trait, diabetes, previous UTI, gestational age and level of education etc. This study aimed at finding out the incidence of ASB in married pregnant (study group) and non-pregnant (control group) women with special reference to their age, education and occupation status. The study was carried out over a period of two years, in the Department of Microbiology in association with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, of T. N. Medical College and B. Y. L. Nair Charitable Hospital. The study included 3000 married pregnant women and 300 married non-pregnant women of age group of 18 to 40 years. A well-structured pretested questionnaire was used to obtain their socio-demographic data which was analyzed statistically to determine the relationship between the variables and their significance. Collection, transportation and microscopic examination of urine were carried out by standard procedures. ASB was highest in age group 36-40 in study group (10%) and control group (7.62%). It was highest in professional category (11.5%) and zero in vendor category in study group. In control group, highest ASB was seen in service category (13.6%), while Commercial sex worker, Business and Vendor category showed surprisingly zero incidences. ASB values were similar in all the categories of education in study group (8 %), while control group showed highest ASB incidence in college goers (7.14%). ASB values were highest in null category (11.49%) in study group, and in control group it was in multi parity category (5.33%). Complicated UTI is more common in extremes age in females with predominant risk factors like diabetes mellitus and recurrent UTI. While use of diaphragm with spermicidal, alteration of vaginal flora and sexual activity are the risk factors in young females. Hence lower socioeconomic status, illiteracy, ignorance about proper hygiene practices, pregnancy and age, fall prey more to the UTI with ASB.