Home⇛LPU-St. Cabrini Journal of Allied Medicine⇛vol. 6 no. 1 (2024)

Inquiring into the Bacterial Spectrum, the Risk Factors, and Antibiotic Sensitivity of Urinary Tract Infection in Childbearing Women: A Systematic Review

Lloyd Joshua Berguila | Charllote Cantalejo | Angelo Iraola | Auoei Joy Malabag | Cedrick Saria

Discipline: health sciences (non-specific)

 

Abstract:

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) remain a significant public health concern, particularly among women of childbearing age due to anatomical, physiological, and behavioral predispositions. This study aimed to synthesize existing evidence on the bacterial spectrum, risk factors, and antibiotic sensitivity of UTIs, while identifying preventive and non-antibiotic management strategies. A systematic review design was employed, analyzing relevant literature from major scientific databases using structured inclusion and exclusion criteria. Findings revealed that Escherichia coli is the predominant uropathogen, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus saprophyticus, alongside other Gram-negative and Grampositive organisms. Antibiotic sensitivity patterns indicate high resistance to commonly used agents such as ampicillin, amoxicillin, and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, while relatively high susceptibility persists for nitrofurantoin, aminoglycosides, and carbapenems. These results emphasize the importance of culture-guided therapy and antimicrobial stewardship. The review further identified key risk factors contributing to UTI susceptibility, including sexual activity, poor genital hygiene, pregnancy, catheterization, prior infections, and behavioral factors such as low fluid intake and delayed urination. The presence of multidrugresistant organisms further complicates treatment outcomes. In response, non-antibiotic approaches—such as probiotics, cranberry products, and D-mannose—demonstrate potential as adjunctive or preventive strategies. Overall, the findings highlight the interplay between microbial patterns, resistance profiles, and host-related risk factors, underscoring the need for comprehensive, individualized, and prevention-focused strategies in the effective management of UTIs among women.



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