Burden of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Amongst Nigerian Pregnant Women: A Protocol for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

\n BackgroundAsymptomatic bacteriuria can be a cause of adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes if undetected and untreated. Pregnant women are usually routinely screened with urine cultures at antenatal booking. However, the exact burden of asymptomatic bacteriuria in Nigeria is unknown. Our protocol is aimed at determining the pooled prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria amongst Nigerian pregnant women as well as the associated risk factors and pregnancy outcomes.MethodsNine databases: PubMed, African Journal Online, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Embase, ResearchGate, Scopus, and Web of Science will be searched using a search strategy that is developed by combinations of MeSH terms, keywords, text words, and entry terms. Only observational studies published or retrievable in the English Language will be included. Studies must be conducted in Nigeria. The primary measurable outcome of this study is the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women. Identified studies will be screened, selected, and deduplicated in DistillerSR. Data items will be extracted into predefined forms in the DistillerSR. Reports including Prisma flow chart, quality scores, risk of bias, and study outcomes will be generated in DistillerSR. Extracted data items will be exported into the Comprehensive Meta-analysis Software version 3 for quantitative analysis. Methodological, clinical, and statistical heterogeneity will be assessed for all the studies. Publication bias will be assessed using Funnel plots. There will be a subgroup analysis of pooled prevalence using categorical variables. The primary outcome will be expressed in pooled prevalence, standard error, variance, and 95% CI of variance. Quantitative risk factors and pregnancy outcomes will be used used for meta-regression. The reporting of the systematic review and meta-analysis will be according to PRISMA 2015 Statement.DiscussionThe pooled prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in Nigeria will be examined in relation to associated risk factors and pregnancy outcomes. The study will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.Trial Registration NumberThis protocol is registered with the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with registration number CRD42020213810