A study of urinary tract infection among primary school girls in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

There were 639 girls studied in 3 primary schools in Nairobi from October, 1989 to February, 1990.Significant bacteriuria (SBU) was found in 37 out of the 639 girls (5.8%). of these 37 girls, 3 (8.1.%) had symptomatic bacteriuria and 34 (92%) had asymptomatic bacteriuria (92%). The peak prevalence occurred in the age group 5-6 years which accounted for 8 out of the 37 cases of· SBU (21.6%).On dipstix examination Leucocyteuria occurred in 102 (16%) out of the 639 girls. Of these 102 girls 23 (22.6%) had SBU. Nitrites were found in the urine of 19 out of the 639 (3%) 14 (73%) of whom had SBU. Bacteriological studies indicated that Escherichia Coli was the commonest organism and accounted for 23 (62.2%) of the 37 , cases of SBU; Klebsiella accounted for 9(24.3%): Strep. fecalis accounted for 3(8.1%) and Staph. albus 2(5.4%). Antibiotic sensitivity patterns done in the 37 SBU cases showed that Tetracycline was most effective with 35 (94.6%) of the 37 being sensitive in Vitro; Nalidixic acid and nitrofurantoin both had 27 (73%) sensitive out of the 37; while Ampicillin and cotrimoxazole both had sensitivities below 50%.