Microbial Colonization and Associated Factors in Indwelling Urinary Catheters: A Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine microbial colonization in indwelling urinary catheters (UCs) and identify patient‐specific risk factors associated with this colonization. This cross‐sectional study involved 61 hospitalized intensive care unit patients with indwelling UCs. Bacterial colonization and susceptibility were assessed in the indwelling UCs from the second day onwards following urinary catheterization. The average duration of catheterization was 13.62 ± 13.72 days. Colonization of 10⁵ CFU/mL and above was determined in all indwelling UCs from the second day of catheterization onwards. The catheter was colonized by the following microorganism species: Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Acinetobacter baumannii , Proteus mirabilis , and Staphylococcus aureus . 47.9% of clinical isolates showed multi‐drug resistance (MDR). Clinical isolates did not show significant differences based on patient variables such as age, Body Mass Index, and duration of urinary catheterization ( p > 0.05). There was a weak correlation (rs:≤ 0.206; p > 0.05) between the species of clinical isolates and patient laboratory variables. Colonization was determined in all indwelling UCs, with nearly half of isolates exhibiting MDR. These findings highlight the urgent need for improved strategies to manage and prevent catheter‐associated infections, particularly in high‐risk patient populations.