ABSTRACT
Group B streptococcal (GBS) prevalence varies from place to place; this organism is responsible for serious infections in newborns, such as septicemia and meningitis. The present study was aimed to find out the antibiogram of Group B Streptococci isolated from the vagina of pregnant women who were in the third trimester of pregnancy and to identify the risk factors for its colonization in vagina. The study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, M. R. Medical College & Hospital, Gulbarga during a period from January 2007 to December 2007. Two hundred pregnant women who were in the third trimester of pregnancy and attending the antenatal clinics were included in the study. Two low vaginal swabs were taken from each women included in the study and were immediately transported to the laboratory for processing. Direct gram staining was done from one swab and the other swab was inoculated into sheep blood agar plate and incubated at 37ºC for 24-48 hours. Identification of organism was based on gram staining, colony morphology, catalase reaction, Christie Atkins Munch Petersen (CAMP) and Hippurate hydrolysis test. Of the 200 pregnant women screened, 7.5% were colonized by GBS. Incidence of GBS colonization was higher among pregnant women in the third trimester who were 25 years of age and primigravida. All the isolates were sensitive to Ampicillin, Erythromycin and Penicillin but were resistant to Gentamicin and Kanamycin.
ABSTRACT
Pregnancy is a crucial period of woman’s life where socio-demographic factors affect her health as well as determine the health of future generation. A cross-sectional community based study was conducted in pregnant women in the field practice area of RCHTC, Hebbal. Variables considered for the study were: Age, religion, Socio-economics status, type of family & house, parity, spacing methods, utilization of health services, height, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI). Majority of pregnant woman had inadequate protien & calorie consumption during pregnancy; 23.93%, woman were having BMI<18.5; 66.67%, were anemic (Hb<11 gm%). The overall prevalence of anemia was found to be high among illiterate (98.2%), Hindu (92.31%) and moderately working woman (83.34% ). Anemia was found to be more common whose age at first pregnancy was <20 years (57.28%), age at marriage <20 years (87.17%), in IInd trimester of pregnancy (62.83% ) and in age group of 20-24 years (39.14%). Government hospital services were utilized by 78.63% but only 58.97% received iron & folic acid tablets and 70.94% had taken injection Tetanus Toxoid (TT). Hence, effective intervention should be directed towards young pregnant women <20 years of age to improve maternal nutritional status, literacy level, and health education for utilization of health services.