COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF ASYMPTOMATIC BACTERIURIA AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN RURAL AND URBAN AREAS OF OWERRI MUNICIPAL, NIGERIA

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 aimed to determine the distribution of AB among secondary school students in rural and urban areas of Owerri municipal, Nigeria. Clean-catch mid-stream urine was obtained from 240 apparently healthy secondary school students in Owerri municipal. The subjects consists of 120 (60 males and 60 females) Junior Secondary School (JSS) students from both rural and urban areas and 120 (60 males and 60 females) Senior Secondary School (SSS) students from both rural and urban areas. The urine specimens were processed to diagnose AB. Significant emergent colonies were identified. The distribution of AB was significantly higher (P = 0.039) among SSS students (15.00%) compared to JSS students (6.67%). Generally as well as among JSS and SSS students, the distribution of AB did not differ significantly by gender (P > 0.05). Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant isolate causing AB among the students [4 (15.38) versus 5 (19.23)] in the urban and rural areas respectively. S. aureus was more common among the JSS students. In terms of gender, S. aureus occurs most in males in both rural 4 (15.38%) and urban 3 (11.54%) areas. Good personal hygiene and routine screening program at school age is thereby recommended.