Prevalence of urinary tract infections in pregnant womwn attending the obstetrics emergency departament of the Immaculate Conception District Hospital in Caaguazú, period January 2024 to July 2025

Abstract

Introduction: Urinary tract infections are a relevant condition during pregnancy because of their potential maternal and fetal consequences. Local information on their prevalence and the characteristics of affected pregnant women remains limited. Objective: To determine the period prevalence and describe the sociodemographic, obstetric, and clinical characteristics of pregnant women diagnosed with urinary tract infection who were treated at the Obstetric Emergency Department of the Inmaculada Concepción District Hospital in Caaguazú between January 2024 and July 2025. Materials and Methods: A quantitative, observational, descriptive, and retrospective study based on a review of medical records. The population consisted of 4,188 individual pregnant women treated during the study period, of whom 204 were diagnosed with urinary tract infection. The variables were summarized using absolute frequencies and percentages, and the period prevalence and its 95% confidence interval were calculated. Results: The prevalence of urinary tract infection was 4.9% (95% CI: 4.3–5.6). Among the pregnant women with this diagnosis, 47.1% were aged 15–24 years, 52.0% were from rural areas, 45.1% were single, and 58.8% were nulliparous. The most frequently recorded clinical history included previous urinary tract infection, diabetes mellitus, and sexually transmitted infections. Conclusion: The study determined the period prevalence and characterized the pregnant women diagnosed with urinary tract infection who were treated at the institution. The results are descriptive and do not allow risk factors or causal relationships to be established. The information obtained provides a preliminary reference for future research incorporating microbiological variables, treatment, and follow-up of maternal and neonatal outcomes.