Prevalence and factors associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization among clinical medical students

Background: This study was carried out to assess the prevalence and determinants of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) colonization among clinical clerkship medical students in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed at King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Nasal samples were obtained from 360 clinical clerkship medical students (3rd-5th years). Questionnaires were filled. MRSA identification was done using the standard laboratory procedures. Data were analyzed using SPSS Pc + 21.0 software. Results: Of 360 samples, 100 (27.7%) were positive for S. aureus and 12 (3.3%) were MRSA positive. The following variables and the outcome (MRSA+/MRSA−) showed statistically significant association; previous hospital admissions, immunocompromised status, chronic disease, and female gender. We found that our MRSA colonization prevalence rate of 3.3% predominately in female gender. Third-year medical students have the highest MRSA colonization of 4.8%, then 4th year 2.8%, and 5th year 1.2%. 17.6% of students with history of hospital admission where found to be MRSA positive, 10% of bronchial asthma sufferers, and 37.5% of immunocompromised students either due to medication or cancer were MRSA positive. Conclusion: MRSA nasal carriage among clinical medical students in KSUMC was found to be 3.3%. We recommend teaching standard practices of infection control protocols and additional precautions.