Study reveals high rate of uropathogens among Ghanaian elderly

A recent study conducted in care homes across the Greater Accra Region has uncovered a high prevalence of drug-resistant urinary pathogens among Ghanaian elderly residents. Emmanuel Armah, an assistant research scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Water Research Institute, presented the findings at the institute's 2026 Mid-Year Review in Accra.

The research, supported by the Foundation to Prevent Antibiotic Resistance, involved almost three years of surveillance of around 200 individuals aged 50 and above in aged-care facilities. Armah emphasized that the elderly could serve as a substantial reservoir of multidrug-resistant organisms, particularly for immunocompromised populations.

The study involved collecting early-morning urine samples from participants and analyzing them for urinary tract infections using microbial diagnostic tools. Polymerase chain reaction was employed to examine the genetic characteristics of the uropathogens. Armah cautioned against the routine use of antibiotics in care homes without microbiological evidence and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

He also stressed the importance of caregivers maintaining proper hand hygiene to prevent infections. Armah and his team are collaborating with stakeholders to raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance and its impact on the elderly, aiming to address the issue through education and advocacy.