Antibiotic use for routine indwelling bladder catheter changes: a survey of practice among members of nigerian association of urological surgeons

Published Date: 31st March 2026

Publication Authors: Okeke. CJ

Background
To the best of our knowledge, there is no national guideline in our country with regard to the use of antibiotics during catheter change.

Methods
This study aims to audit the practice of Nigerian Urologists’ use of antibiotics in the setting of urinary catheters. Study population is members of NAUS present during the 27th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Association held at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between 24th and 25th November, 2022. Questionnaires designed for this study was shared to members during the 2022 annual meeting of the Nigerian association of Urological Surgeons (NAUS). Statistical analysis was performed using statistical package for social science version 20.0. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results
Response rate was 87.3% (55/63). Respondents were predominantly male (96.4%), aged 41–50 years (47.3%), with > 10 years experience (45.4%). 69% routinely prescribed antibiotics during catheter changes. Quinolones were most common (65.8%), followed by nitrofurantoin (15.8%) and gentamicin (13.1%). Mean antibiotic duration was 7.87 ± 6.10 days; only 15.8% used single-dose prophylaxis while 53.3% prescribed ≥ 3 days. Unit practice (47.3%) and standard guidelines (45.4%) guided prescribing. More experienced urologists prescribed antibiotics less frequently (14.82 vs. 10.53 years; p = 0.094). Latex and silicone catheters were changed at 3.50 ± 0.87 and 8.61 ± 2.95 weeks, respectively.

Conclusion
This study has shown many Urologists in Nigeria routinely prescribe antibiotics following catheter change. The majority of respondents who use antibiotics use it as pre-emptive rather than prophylactic therapy.

Odo, C; Okeke, CJ et al. (2026). Antibiotic use for routine indwelling bladder catheter changes: a survey of practice among members of nigerian association of urological surgeons. African Journal of Urology. 32, p. Article 18. [Online]. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12301-026-00561-x [Accessed 11 June 2026]