Abstract

Asymptomatic bacteriuria (AB) is common, with varying prevalence by age and gender, amongst other factors. AB is more likely to develop to symptomatic urinary tract infection, thus, necessitating periodic review. This study aims to determine the prevalence of AB among secondary school students in Benin City. Etiologic agents and bacterial susceptibility will also be determined. Clean-catch mid-stream urine was obtained from 315 apparently healthy secondary school students in Benin City. The subjects consists of 158 (81 males and 77 females) Junior Secondary School (JSS) and 157 (84 males and 73 females) Senior Secondary School (SSS) students. The urine specimens were processed to diagnose AB. Significant emergent colonies were identified and disc susceptibility tests performed on bacterial isolates using standard techniques. The prevalence of AB was significantly (P = 0.039) higher in SSS students compared to JSS students (SSS versus JSS: 11.57 versus 5.06%). Generally as well as among JSS and SSS students, the prevalence of AB did not differ significantly by gender (P > 0.05). Staphylococcus aureuswere the predominant isolates causing AB. Among JSS students, S. aureus predominated while among SSS students E. coli was the most prevalent. In terms of gender, S. aureuswas the most prevalent in males in both JSS and SSS as well as in female JSS students, while E. coli was the predominant etiologic agent among female SSS students. Nitrofurantion and pefloxacin was the most active antibacterial agent. In conclusion, an overall prevalence of 8.25% of AB was observed and measures to reduce AB among secondary school students were advocated.

Key words: Asymptomatic bacteriuria, secondary school students, Nigeria.