SOCIOBIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATIONS OF BACTERIURIA IN PREGNANCY

The prevalence and socio-biological relations of bacteriuria in Trinid adian pregnant women were investigated The prevalence of bacteriuria w as found to be 16.7% and it was more common in the 30 - 39 year age gr oup, among parous women, among Negroes, and in patients with a low fam ily income and overcrowded living conditions. Symptoms were present in 19% of bacteriuric patients and almost one third gave a past history of urinary tract infection. Only 10% had been previously exposed to se xually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhoea and herpetic genital infections. Because of the serious consequences to mother and foetus, we advocate quantitative urine cultures for all antenatal pati ents, especially those coming from disadvantaged socio-economic condit ions.