Guideline Adherence of Asymptomatic Bacteriuria Management Among Physicians in Jordan: A Cross-sectional Study

TL;DR

This study examines how well Jordanian physicians follow guidelines for managing asymptomatic bacteriuria, finding significant deviations in antibiotic use.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into guideline adherence for ASB management in Jordan, highlighting regional clinical practice gaps.

Findings

Only 55.7% of distributed surveys were returned, with significant deviations from ASB guidelines observed.

Ciprofloxacin was most commonly used (34.2%), despite guidelines favoring nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

Educational interventions are needed to improve adherence and reduce antimicrobial resistance.

Abstract

Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is the presence of bacteria in urine without symptoms of a urinary tract infection. The management of ASB varies widely among health care providers, particularly in different regional contexts. This study aims to assess guideline adherence for ASB management among physicians in Jordan.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among physicians from various medical specialties in Jordan between January and March 2024. A total of 750 surveys were distributed to participants through email and phone channels, focusing on demographic information, clinical practices, and adherence to available ASB management guidelines. Of these, 418 responses were received, yielding a response rate of 55.7%. The collected data were subsequently compiled and analyzed.

In total, 418 survey responses were analyzed. Participants included general practitioners, urologists, obstetricians/gynecologists, surgeons, internal medicine specialists, family medicine practitioners, and residents. There were significant deviations from recommended guidelines, particularly in antibiotic selection and treatment duration. Ciprofloxacin was the most preferred antibiotic (34.2%), contrary to guidelines recommending nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

The findings highlight the need for improved adherence to ASB management guidelines among Jordanian physicians. Educational interventions and policy implementations are essential to optimize clinical care and reduce antimicrobial resistance.

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