Prevalence of Proteus Species Associated with Postpatum Infection in Women Attending Maternity Clinic in Benue State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigates the prevalence of Proteus species associated with postpartum infection in women attending maternity clinic in the three Senatorial Zones (A, B and C) in Benue State. The study was conducted across three Zones: Zone A (Katsina Ala), Zone B (Makurdi) and Zone C (Otukpo). A total of 500 hundred clinical samples (high vaginal swab and urine) were collected from postpartum women attending maternity clinics in the hospital facilities and private maternity homes for routine checkup. Standard microbiological procedures were used for sample analysis. Seventy (70) Proteus mirabilis was isolated out of the 500 specimens resulting in a prevalence rate of 14.0%. The most commonly reported clinical symptoms among participants were foul smelling discharge (24.4%), hemorrhage (23.0%) and abdominal pain (22.2%). Prevalence rates varied across zones and facility types. Zone A recorded 15% prevalence in private maternity homes. Zone B exhibited a consistent prevalence rate of 14% across all facilities. In Zone C, Proteus mirabilis was detected in 15% of cases at Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital Otukpo, while Private Maternity Homes had a lower prevalence of 10%. Notably, 28.6% of Proteus mirabilis from Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers. Significant difference was observed in the specimen whereas there was no significance difference between the facilities and the zones. These findings highlight potential transmission routes of Proteus mirabilis strains within health care facilities, emphasizing the need for improved infection control measures to reduce postpartum infections in maternity settings. Postpartum infections were more in women who had undergo caesarean section than women who had vaginal delivery, and the risk is more in women who go through labour before the caesarean section.