OCCURRENCE AND ANTIBIOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY PATTERN OF BACTERIAL PATHOGENS IN URINE SAMPLES OF FEMALE STUDENTS AT KADUNA STATE UNIVERSITY HOSTEL

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections affecting women worldwide, particularly females living in communal settings such as university hostels. Overcrowding, poor sanitation, and limited hygiene practices increase the risk of infection and facilitate the spread of uropathogens. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of urinary tract infections and the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacterial pathogens isolated from urine samples of female students residing in the Kaduna State University hostel. Understanding the bacterial profile and antibiotic resistance patterns of uropathogens is essential for effective treatment and control. A total of 40 midstream early-morning urine samples were aseptically collected from female hostel students. Samples were cultured on Cystine Lactose Electrolyte Deficient (CLED) agar and MacConkey agar. Isolates were identified using standard microbiological techniques, including colony morphology, Gram staining, and biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar, and results were interpreted according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Out of the 40 urine samples analyzed, 32 (80.0%) showed significant bacterial growth. The predominant isolate was Escherichia coli, with a frequency of 13 (40.6%), followed by Proteus mirabilis, 9 (28.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 6 (18.8%), and Staphylococcus aureus, 4 (12.5%). Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed varying resistance patterns among the isolates, with high resistance to commonly used antibiotics and moderate susceptibility to fluoroquinolones. The high occurrence of uropathogenic bacteria and the observed antibiotic resistance patterns highlight the public health significance of UTIs among female students in hostel environments. Routine surveillance, improved hygiene practices, and rational antibiotic use are strongly recommended to reduce the burden of UTIs and prevent the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains.