Bacterial Profile, Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern and Associated Factors Among Patients Attending Adult OPD at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Hawassa, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common health problem occurring when infectious agents colonize, invade, and propagate the urinary tract including the urethra, bladder, renal pelvis, or renal parenchyma. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of symptomatic UTI, drug resistance pattern, and its associated factors among patients attending adult outpatient department (OPD) at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HUCSH). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2018 to February 2019 among adults ≥18 years old with symptoms of UTI. Processing of specimens for culture and identification was done. Antimicrobial susceptibility was done for positive urine cultures. Data entry and analysis were performed using SPSS version 23.0 software. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis test results were used. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of symptomatic urinary tract infection was 32.8% (95% CI: 28.3–37.6). The predominant isolated bacteria was E. coli 46 (36.2%) followed by S. aureus 21 (16.5%). Gram-negative bacteria were a high level of resistance to ampicillin (71.4%), and tetracycline (68.2%). Gram-positive bacteria were highly resistant to norfloxacin (77.7%). The overall prevalence of multi-drug resistant isolates was 102 (80.3%). Being female, no formal education, and self-medication history had more likely cause UTI. CONCLUSION: Urinary tract infection (UTI) among adults was prevalent in the study area. Being female, educational status and self-medication history had a significant association with UTI. Resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline, and norfloxacin was high. Therefore, culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing should be routinely used for the proper management of patients with UTI.