Asymptomatic bacteriuria and its associated fetomaternal outcomes among pregnant women delivering at Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania

Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) affects 23.9% of pregnant women globally and, if left untreated, can lead to adverse fetomaternal outcomes. In Tanzania, ASB prevalence has ranged from 13% to 17% over the past decade. Yet, its impact on fetomaternal outcomes remains unexplored, hindering the development of screening strategies, antimicrobial therapies, and preventive measures for this vulnerable population. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 1,093 pregnant women admitted for delivery at Bugando Medical Center (BMC) in Mwanza, Tanzania, from July to December 2022. Socio-demographic, obstetric, and clinical data were collected from the women, along with mid-stream urine samples for analysis. Fetomaternal outcomes were assessed within 72 hours after delivery. The median age of participants was 29 years (range: 15-45 years). ASB prevalence among pregnant women was 16.9% (185/1093), with a 95% CI of 14.6-19.3%. Risk factors for ASB included anemia (OR: 5.3; 95% CI = 3.7-8.2, p-value