Prevalence of asymptomatic carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among healthcare workers and its infection control implications:  A retrospective observational study.

Nirmala Kumari; Sanjay Kumar; Rajesh  Kumar; Satyendu Sagar

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i9.2087

Authors

Nirmala Kumari Senior Resident, Department of Microbiology, NMCH, Patna, Bihar, India
Sanjay Kumar Professor, HOD, Department of Microbiology, NMCH, Patna, Bihar, India
Rajesh Kumar Professor, Department of Microbiology, NMCH, Patna, Bihar, India
Satyendu Sagar Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology, NMCH, Patna, Bihar, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i9.2087

Keywords:

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Healthcare Workers, Carriage, Infection Control

Abstract

Background

In 1961, a year after semisynthetic penicillin was introduced, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates were first identified. They are resistant to all penicillin and β-lactam medicines, and this has led to their spread in both hospital and community settings.

Objectives

Determining the frequency of MRSA colonization among healthcare professionals and evaluating related risk factors were the study's objectives.

Materials and methods

It was a retrospective, observational study. The study was carried out at Nalanda Medical College and Hospital (NMCH), Patna, Bihar, India. The study data that was retrieved was for one year, i.e., from February 2023 to January 2024. Data from 220 participants were retrieved for the study. Healthcare professionals working in different intensive care units (ICUs) and high-risk hospital departments, including physicians, nurses, attendants, housekeeping personnel, and technicians, met the study's inclusion criteria.

Results

The participants' average age was 31.4 ± 7.2 years, and 71.3% of them were female. The largest group was made up of nurses (46.4%) and doctors (26.8%). 13.6% of healthcare workers were found to have MRSA carriage. Workers with less education (p = 0.03) and staff nurses (p = 0.002) had considerably higher carriage. The neurosurgical intensive care unit had the greatest percentage of MRSA carriers (13.3%). Gender did not significantly correlate (p = 0.18).

Conclusion

The study found that MRSA colonization was significantly more common among healthcare workers, with staff nurses and individuals with less education having higher rates. MRSA carrier rates were also greater in certain ICU sites, such as the surgical and neurosurgery ICUs.

Recommendations

For early detection and prevention, healthcare staff must undergo routine MRSA screening, particularly in high-risk settings like intensive care units.

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