Lilian A., 28

Lilian is the seventh and youngest child in a family of seven. She left school while in Class 8 because her family could no longer afford to support her education. None of her siblings completed school, reflecting the family's longstanding financial hardship. They live together in a modest two-roomed mud house at their ancestral home and rely mainly on subsistence farming for food and income. Following the death of their biological mother, Lilian and her siblings were raised by their stepmother. To support herself, Lilian developed a passion for farming and contributes actively to the family's livelihood. She once secured employment as a house manager in Nairobi but was forced to flee after being assaulted and violated by her employer. She returned to her rural home to rebuild her life and remains hopeful that her circumstances will improve. During pregnancy, Lilian developed painful urination, frequent urination, lower abdominal pain, and fever. Because of financial constraints and delayed access to healthcare, she remained at home as her condition worsened. She was eventually admitted to hospital, where investigations confirmed a urinary tract infection in pregnancy. She received appropriate treatment, and the illness temporarily limited her ability to carry out farming and other daily activities.

Lilian's prognosis is good because a urinary tract infection (UTI) during pregnancy is usually treatable when diagnosed early and managed with appropriate antibiotics, adequate hydration, and regular antenatal follow-up. She is expected to make a full recovery without long-term complications if she completes the prescribed treatment and attends all follow-up appointments. However, if the infection is left untreated or treatment is not completed, it may progress to a kidney infection (pyelonephritis), increasing the risk of preterm labour, low birth weight, maternal sepsis, and other serious complications for both the mother and the baby.