_1784110776 20260715101936000 Editor editor.jddt@gmail.com Universal Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Universal Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Univ J Pharm Res 2456-8058 2831-5235 07 15 2026 Chidimma Maureen Chukwueze Chiemerie A. Ani Kosisochukwu T. Okwunweze Eberechukwu Grace Okoh Chibueze. C. Nwobodo Dennis Chinaza Egbo Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu Background and objectives: Antimicrobial resistance among uropathogenic Escherichia coli represents a growing therapeutic challenge worldwide. This study investigated the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of E. coli isolated from patients presenting with urinary tract infections (UTIs) at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital (ESUT-TH), Enugu, Nigeria, and examined socio-demographic factors influencing antibiotic use. Subjects and methods: A total of 200 patients participated in this study, comprising 59 (29.5%) males and 141 (70.5%) females, predominantly aged 18 – 25 years (46.5%). E. coli isolated from the 200 urine samples were 45, representing a prevalence of 22.5%. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method and high resistance rates were observed against ceftriaxone (84.4%), amoxicillin (84.44%), streptomycin (77.78%), chloramp-henicol (75.56%), ofloxacin (71.11%), meropenem (66.67%). Results: Moderate resistance was recorded for ciprofloxacin (55.56%) and nitrofurantoin (57.78%) while gentamicin demonstrated the highest susceptibility (77.78%). Chi-square bivariate analysis revealed that though all respondents had used antibiotics, significant associations existed between gender and knowledge of antibiotics (p=0.028), previous UTI (p=0.010), and prior antibiotic treatment (p=0.012). Conclusions: The findings highlight substantial resistance to routine antibiotics and emphasize the need for periodic antimicrobial susceptibility testing, strengthened antibiotic stewardship and enhanced public health education to improve UTI management.                   Peer Review History: Received 11 April 2026;   Reviewed 8 May 2026; Accepted  14 June; Available online 15 July 2026 Academic Editor: Dr. Ahmad Najib, Universitas Muslim Indonesia,  Indonesia, ahmad.najib@umi.ac.id Reviewers: Prof. Hassan A.H. Al-Shamahy, Sana'a University, Yemen, shmahe@yemen.net.ye Dr. Ogbonna B. Onyebuchi, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka,  Nigeria, summitpharm@yahoo.com 07 15 2026 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0 10.22270/ujpr.v11i3.1572 https://ujpronline.com/index.php/journal/article/view/1572 https://ujpronline.com/index.php/journal/article/download/1572/2175 https://ujpronline.com/index.php/journal/article/download/1572/2175 https://ujpronline.com/index.php/journal/article/download/1572/2176 https://ujpronline.com/index.php/journal/article/download/1572/2205