Effect of a nurse-led mHealth education programme on prevention of urinary tract infection among patients with per urethral indwelling urinary catheters: A Quasi Experimental Study

Objective Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) remains a frequent healthcare-associated infection and poses ongoing challenges for patients discharged with indwelling urinary catheters. Limited education and follow-up in outpatient settings may increase infection risk. This study assessed the effectiveness of a nurse-led mobile health (mHealth) education programme in preventing urinary tract infection (UTI) among patients attending a urology outpatient department. Results A quasi-experimental post-test-only control group design was used. Seventy-two patients with per-urethral indwelling urinary catheters were allocated to an experimental group (n = 36) and a control group (n = 36). In addition to routine care, the experimental group received nurse-led mHealth education, including in-person guidance, an educational video shared via WhatsApp, and weekly telephonic follow-up for four weeks. At one-month follow-up, suprapubic tenderness and catheter leakage were significantly lower in the experimental group. Urine microscopy showed lower pus cell counts and bacterial presence, and overall UTI positivity was significantly reduced compared with the control group. These findings suggest that nurse-led mHealth education can support safer catheter care and reduce early infection-related outcomes after discharge. Trail Registration The study was registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India on 12/09/2025 with its registration number CTRI/2025/09/094726.