Prevalence of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Colonizers among Basic Science MBBS and BDS Students of Kathmandu Medical College

INTRODUCTION: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus exhibit multiple drug resistance phenotypes. Colonizers harboring Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus are often associated with its outbreaks in both hospital and community settings. This study was done to determine the prevalence of nasal carriage rate of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus among basic science MBBS and BDS students of Kathmandu Medical College. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done in Kathmandu Medical College from March 5 to June 5 2020. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Institutional Review Committee with reference no. 040320201. A convenient sampling method was used, and the sample size was calculated with a prevalence of 50%. Two hundred students studying MBBS and BDS were enrolled. The nasal swab was collected and processed using standard microbiological methods. The data obtained were computed and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences 16.0 Version. RESULTS: Among 200 participants, 9 (4.5%) were found to be nasal carriers of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus. CONCLUSIONS: Colonization of anterior nares by Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in apparently healthy individuals is a cause of concern. Education regarding Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, its carrier and significance, and its screening must be included early on in MBBS and BDS.