Urinary tract infection in pregnant women attended in Primary Health Care: a clinical and epidemiological analysis

This study evaluated the prevalence of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) in pregnant women receiving care in Primary Health Care (PHC) and analyzed its association with sociodemographic aspects, adequacy of prenatal care according to the guidelines of the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MoH), and pregnancy outcomes. A cross-sectional study was conducted in PHC units in Marau/RS, Brazil, with pregnant women of any age and expected date of delivery between February 2019 and June 2020. Data were collected from medical records, and descriptive statistics as well as the distribution of UTI outcomes and adverse pregnancy events were presented (chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test; statistical significance set at 5%). A total of 364 pregnant women were included, of whom 20.9% had UTI. Despite an adequate number of consultations, fewer than half (42.9%) underwent urine testing as recommended by the MoH protocol. A statistically significant association was observed between paid employment, performance of at least one qualitative urine test and urine culture during prenatal care, compliance with the MoH protocol, and the occurrence of UTI (p < 0.05). UTI was present in approximately one-fifth of the pregnant women. Fewer than half were screened for UTI according to the MoH protocol, a concerning scenario given the potential for underdiagnosis and consequent lack of treatment of this infection.