Abstract

Ochiabuto O. M. T. B.*, Obeagu E. I., Obi C. M., Unaeze B. C., Nwobodo H. A. and Emmanuel C. B .

ABSTRACT

A study to determine the risk factor for sero-carriage of ureaplasma urealyticum among women of various age ranges and profession in both Nnewi and Okija was conducted in a total of 93 subjects. Ureaplasma urealyticum antigen was analysed using ELISA method with commensally prepared kit (UUAB KIT).Using internal built control. Data was collected by standard questionnaire.All method was as instructed in the user`s manual. Result revealed that out of the 93 female in nnewi (single and married) that were sampled 3(3.2%) showed a positive result to Ureaplasma urealyticum while 90 (96.8%) blood sample showed a negative result to Ureaplasma urealyticum. Risk factors for serocarriage in descending order were : Average earning which is one of the socio economic factors (33.3% of the samples has the highest serocarriage of this organism with a statistical difference of ( 0.002), Educational level(100% of the samples with a tertiary educational level has the highest serocarriage of this organism with a statistical difference of (0.024), Number of sex partner(66.7%) of samples who has only one sex partner has the highest serocarriage of this organism with a statistical difference of (0.028), Age, State of origin, Profession, Screening of Ureaplasma urealyticum, Disease status, Having heard of Ureaplasma, Importance of Ureaplasma screening and symptoms with no marked statistical differences. In summary the serocarriage of Ureaplasma urealyticum can be said to be of low incidence probably because of the area of study and indiscriminate use of antibiotics in the area of study, a higher range of serocarriage was obtained in subject from Nnewi, None were found positive in Okija .The most significant risk factors for Ureaplasma urealyticum includes: lifestyle, number of sex partner and socio-economic factors such as average earning.