Effect of ablution the genital area on result of urine culturing among 3-12 years old girls referring to Amir Kabir hospital, Arak, Iran

Background: Urine tract infection (UTI) is the most prevalent bacterial infection and the second prevalent infection after viral flu among children. With respect to the importance of urine culturing, we decided to assess the effect of ablution the genital area on the result of urine culturing among 3-12 years old girls referring to Amir Kabir hospital, Arak, Iran. Patients and methods: This randomized clinical trial was achieved on 620 girls referring to our hospital. Children were randomly assigned in two groups, with and without ablution. In ablution group, the appropriate technique of genital area ablution with water and soap was trained as well as how to collect middle-urine sampling, however, the other group received recommendations on how to appropriately collect middle-urine sample. Results: Of 310 children of the ablution-trained group, UTI was reported in 11 (3.5%), contamination in 3 (1%) while 296 children were normal (95.3%). However, these figures were 14 (4.7%), 6 (2%) and 290 (93.3%) in the other group, respectively. Contamination rate did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (P=0.49). Conclusion: Genital area ablution is not associated with a significant decrease in rate of urine culture contamination, hence, it should not be routinely recommended for children.