Antimicrobial resistance and persistent urinary tract infections among women aged 18-35 years at Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital, Wakiso District. A cross-sectional study.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/pb689e94Keywords:
Anti-microbial resistance, Gram Positive, Gram negative, Culture and sensitivity, Susceptibility, Entebbe regional referral hospitalAbstract
Background:
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) stands as the 21st century’s silent pandemic, a global crisis, threatening to render vital medicines obsolete. Most alarming impacts are seen in UTIs, where the rise in multidrug-resistant strains is turning common infections into threatening complications. This study assessed factors contributing to antimicrobial resistance among young women aged 18-35 years with persistent urinary tract infections at Entebbe Regional Referral Hospital in Wakiso district.
Method:
A cross-sectional study design was employed. Simple random sampling was used to obtain 80 participants. The questionnaire method was used for data collection, and urine samples were analyzed using standard microbiological techniques, including Gram staining, culture, and sensitivity. Data was entered into Microsoft Excel and analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the results were presented in tables, graphs, and charts for easy interpretation.
Results:
Most participants, 22.5%(18) were aged 18-25 years, 57.5%(46) had 26-30 years, and 20%(16) had 31-35 years. In addition, 51.25%(41) had attained tertiary, 30%(24) attained secondary, and 18.8%(15) had attained Primary education. The prevalence of AMR was 45%, with higher rates cited among those aged 26 -30years (58.3%), those who attained tertiary/university (47.2%), and females who changed their knickers once (52.8%). Participants who used leftover antibiotics or over-the-counter drugs also exhibited higher (55.6%) AMR rates, just as those with chronic conditions (55.6%).
Conclusion:
The study established that the overall prevalence of antimicrobial resistance was high. AMR was prevalent among those aged 25-30 years. Poor hygiene and irrational use of antibiotics have contributed to the AMR.
Recommendation:
Health workers, with the support of the Ministry of Health, should engage the community in intensive discussions on the causes of antimicrobial resistance, hygiene, risk factors of persistent urinary tract infections, and infection prevention and control measures
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