Socio-biological associations of bacteriuria in pregnancy

The prevalence and socio-biological relations of bacteriuria was found to be 16.7 per cent and it was more common in the 30-39 age group, among parous women, among negroes, and in patients with a low family income and overcrowded living conditions. Symptoms were present in 19 per cent of bacteriuric patients and almost one-third gave a past history of urinary tract infection. Only 10 per cent had been previously exposed to sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhoea and herpetic genital infections. Because of the serious consequences to mother and foetus, we advocate quantitative urine cultures for all antenatal patients, especially those from disadvantaged socio-economic conditions