Awareness of Saudi Women about Causes of Urinary Tract Infection and its Complications in Pregnant Women in Asir Region
Authors: Asiri Asma Ali , Alasiri Ali Ahmed , Asiri Mofareh Ahmed , Alshabab Mohanad Qasem , Alqahtani Feras Mohammed 
Published: July 2022

Background:
Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common infections that occur during pregnancy. It can be symptomatic or asymptomatic and if left untreated, it could lead to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality complications. The highest prevalence of UTI in pregnant women is thought to be a result from significant physiological changes occur in the urogenital tract that lead to increasing the potential for pathogenic colonisation. Bladder volume increases and detrusor tone decreases and this will lead to stasis of urine and ascending of infection. In addition, pregnant women develop ureteric dilatation as the result of a combination of progestogenic relaxation of ureteric smooth muscle and pressure from the expanding uterus. Furthermore, this can lead to failure of treatment, recurrent infections, or significant morbidity and mortality with a poor outcome. The bacteria causing urinary infection in pregnancy are many, such as Escherichia coli, Gram-negative bacilli like Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Staphylococcus saprophyticus is the second most frequently cultured uropathogen, 12 while other Gram-positive cocci, such as group B hemolytic streptococci, are less frequently isolated but remain clinically important. Other less common uropathogens include Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which can arise through hematological inoculation rather than ascending infection. Nonbacterial causes include Chlamydia species and fungal infections, such as Candida albicans.

Aim:
The current study aimed to assess the awareness of Saudi women about the causes of UTI and its complications in pregnant women in Asir region, Southern of Saudi Arabia.

Methodology:
A cross-sectional study enrolled women at Asir region during the study period from Monday Feb 22, 2021–Jul 29, 2021 Data were collected using prestructured online questionnaire using social media platforms. Questionnaire included women bio-demographic data, children number, history of UTI, and awareness regarding UTI and its complications during pregnancy.

Results:
The study included 1662 Saudi females from Asir region with their ages ranged from 18 to 59 years with a mean age of 27.8 ± 12.4 years old. Majority of study participants (46%; 765) were single. Exact of 66.5% of the study females reported that pregnancy increases the chance of getting UTI. Regarding factors increases the risk of UTI in pregnant women, the most reported by the study females were prolonged retention of urine (72.4%). Also, 53.5% of the females know that the highest risk of getting UTI is at the 3rd trimester. As for complications for a pregnant woman with UTI, nephritis was known among 76.7% of the females.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the current study revealed that females' awareness regarding UTI and its related causes and complications is poor in Asir region. Not all females know all risk factors, clinical presentation, or complications of UTI.