Nasal Carriage Rate and Antimicrobial resistance profiles of Methicillin Resistance Staphylococcus Aureus among hospitalized Adult Patients in Public Hospitals, Eastern Ethiopia

Objective This study aimed to determine the nasal carriage rate of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and the associated factors among admitted adult patients in medical and surgical wards in Public Hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2021. Nasal swabs were collected from 287 hospitalized patients for the detection of MRSA. Gram staining, biochemical testing, and culture were used to isolate and identify MRSA. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was used to screen for MRSA using a cefoxitin disc on Muller Hinton agar. Data were analyzed using SPSS-25 after being input into EPI data. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with MRSA nasal carriage rate. Result A total of 108 (37) of study participants were carriers of S. aureus in their nares. Among the S. aureus isolates, 42.6% were MRSA. The overall prevalence of MRSA was 16% (95% CI; 11.8%, 20.3%). The majority (69.4%) of S. aureus were multi-drug resistant. A significant proportion (78.3%) of MRSA were sensitive to chloramphenicol and gentamycin (73.9%). However, all MRSA isolates were resistant to penicillin and Ceftriaxone. History of previous hospitalization (AOR = 5.52; 95% CI: 1.98, 15.41) was significantly associated with MRSA carriage rate. Conclusion MRSA carriage rate and multi-drug resistance was high. Previous history of hospitalization was found predictor of MRSA nasal carriage rate. Thus, it emphasize the importance of implementing rigorous infection control measures to prevent the spread of MRSA within healthcare settings.