Prevalence of Escherichia Coli in District Peshawar: Environmental and Clinical Insights

Hina Bahar; Farrah Zaidi

doi:10.70749/ijbr.v3i8.2301

Authors

Hina Bahar Institute of Zoological Sciences, University of Peshawar, KP, Pakistan.
Farrah Zaidi Institute of Zoological Sciences, University of Peshawar, KP, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70749/ijbr.v3i8.2301

Keywords:

Escherichia coli, Occurrence, Water Infection, Urinary Tract Infection, Diarrhea, Peshawar, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a leading cause of urinary tract and Diarrhea diseases in low and center earnings countries, wherein insufficient water sanitation and unregulated antibiotic use exacerbate transmission and resistance. In District Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, restricted incorporated surveillance exists to quantify occurrence of E.coli. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted for detection of E.coli in environment and its prevalence in public health settings in Peshawar. Two types of data sets were generated including environmental water sampling and public health statistics regarding E. coli diarrhea and Urinary Tract Infections (UTI). Simultaneously, health information generated was analyzed for E.coli related urinary tract infections (UTIs) and diarrhea instances. Results: Women constituted ≈40 % of infected instances, while cases in men were recorded to be 59.8 %. Moreover youngsters/kids ≤18 years represented ≈72.6 % of cases and adults of older age represented 27.4 %. Diarrhea and UTIs had been equally established (≈57.6%), reflecting twin transmission routes. Seasonal peaks came about in winter followed by autumn season. Geographic clustering was most prominent in peri-urban settlements (Badber, Mashogagar, Balarzai, ShahidGari, Afridy avenue). A huge percentage of the two hundred water samples tested positive for E. coli, corroborating environmental transmission. Discussion: These findings align with regional research showing high E. coli incidence in water resources. The convergence of environmental infection, and early life burden underscores the multifactorial nature of transmission. Conclusions: E.coli infection is sizeable in Peshawar’s water and medical settings, disproportionately affecting kids in peri-city areas. Integrated surveillance of water, meals, and sanatorium information, coupled with advanced sanitation and antibiotic stewardship, is urgently needed to reduce ailment burden.

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