Nasal carriage of MRSA among clinically affiliated undergraduate students at the College of Health and Medical Sciences, Haramaya University, Ethiopia

Medical and health science students are among the demographics most at risk from Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which is a serious hazard to public health. The main reservoir for MRSA is the nasal cavity, and colonization of this area can raise the risk of infection and transmission in healthcare settings. This study aimed to assess the nasal carriage rate of MRSA among clinically affiliated students at Haramaya University, College of Health and Medicine Sciences, Ethiopia, from July to August 2022. An institution-based cross-sectional study of 250 study participants was conducted using a stratified random sampling methods. The data were collected via structured questionnaires. Nasal swabs were cultured on mannitol salt agar and blood agar at 37 °C for 24 h. Staphylococcus aureus was identified using catalase and coagulase tests. The MRSA was screened using the cefoxitin disk diffusion method on Muller Hinton agar. The data were entered and analyzed by SPSS version 25. Pearson’s chi-square test was performed to predict associations between variables. A p value less than 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. The nasal carriage rate of S. aureus was 8% (95% CI: 4.6-11.3%). The Nasal carriage rate of MRSA was 4.8% (95% CI: 2.1-7.4%). Overall, 4.8% of all the students were identified as MRSA carriers. MRSA carriage was high among medical students (33.3%). Nose-picking habit (X 2 = 16.7, P = 0.001) and dormitory occupancy (X 2 = 3.6, P = 0.045) were significantly associated with the MRSA rate. All the MRSA strains were resistant to penicillin and ampicillin. However, all the MRSA strains were susceptible to chloramphenicol and clindamycin. This study revealed that MRSA is a threat due to significant resistance. Nasal carriage is associated with nose picking and dorm occupancy. Encourage practices such as avoiding nose picking and maintaining personal cleanliness. Regular cleaning and disinfection of shared spaces can reduce the presence of MRSA.