Incidence of Urinary Tract Infection Among Pregnant Women and its Risk Factors in the Municipality of Baao, Camarines Sur

This case presentation investigates the prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) amongpregnant women in the Municipality of Baao, Camarines Sur, Philippines, from February 2022 toNovember 2023. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are a common concern among pregnant womenglobally, with up to 15% affected during pregnancy. UTIs, even without symptoms, are linked toadverse pregnancy outcomes like preterm birth, low birth weight, and neonatal death. With that,this research was conducted to understand the incidence of UTIs, develop effective strategies forprevention and treatment, and improve maternal and neonatal health outcomes. In this paper, 497women were tested for urine analysis, of which 242 were pregnant. The data collection processinvolved reviewing Individual Treatment Records, Laboratory Records, and Logbooks from theRural Health Unit of Baao. The incidence of UTIs among pregnant women was found to be 45%.The most common risk factors for UTIs were a history of UTIs, diabetes mellitus, and multiplesexual partners. The clinical presentation of UTIs included symptoms such as dysuria, frequency,urgency, and hematuria. Based on the study’s findings, raising awareness among pregnantwomen about the importance of regular prenatal care is recommended to reduce the incidence ofUTIs. There should be an emphasis on implementing tailored educational programs that providecomprehensive information about hygiene practices, including proper sanitation and personalhygiene, to pregnant women with lower educational attainment. Healthcare providers should alsointegrate routine UTI screenings into prenatal care packages, emphasizing the second trimester, asthis is the most susceptible period to UTIs due to hormonal changes and anatomical adaptationsin the urinary system. Furthermore, healthcare providers should tailor their approaches for olderpregnant women (age 20 and above) by educating them about the increased risk of UTIs andthe importance of proactive preventive measures. Lastly, interventions should be designed tospecifically target women with multiple pregnancies by providing them with the necessary supportand resources, such as organizing support groups or educational sessions, to address the uniquechallenges they face, including the increased risk of UTIs. Conclusively, this study contributes tounderstanding UTIs among pregnant women and provides implications and recommendations forbetter maternal and neonatal health in the Municipality of Baao and beyond.