Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in Nasal Carriers among Healthcare Workers

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Background of the Study

Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium found on the skin and in the nasal passages of humans. Although it is part of the normal flora, it can cause infections when it enters wounds or deeper tissues (Cheung et al., 2021). In hospitals, S. aureus is one of the main causes of infections such as wound abscesses, pneumonia, and septicemia.

Healthcare workers often serve as carriers of S. aureus due to their close contact with patients. The bacteria can spread from the nasal cavity of a carrier to patients through direct contact or contaminated hands. Consequently, nasal carriage among health workers plays an important role in hospital-acquired infections (Otto, 2019).

In recent years, the rise of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has made this issue even more critical. MRSA strains are resistant to many commonly used antibiotics, making treatment more difficult and costly. Therefore, identifying nasal carriers of S. aureus among healthcare workers is essential for infection control and prevention in hospitals.

1.1 Statement of the Problem

Hospital-acquired infections continue to threaten patient safety worldwide. One of the major contributors is the unnoticed spread of S. aureus by healthcare workers who carry the bacteria in their noses. Even when they show no symptoms, these carriers can transmit S. aureus to patients or medical surfaces. As a result, infections spread quickly within hospital wards.

Without regular screening, hospitals cannot easily detect or control such carriers. This gap increases the risk of outbreaks, especially of MRSA. Consequently, there is a pressing need to determine how common nasal carriage is among healthcare workers and how it affects infection control.

1.2 Aim and Objectives of the Study

Aim:
To determine the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage among healthcare workers in a hospital setting.

Objectives:

1. To collect nasal swab samples from healthcare workers.

2. To isolate and identify S. aureus from the collected samples.

3. To determine the rate of nasal carriage among different categories of staff.

4. To assess the antibiotic resistance pattern of the isolates.

5. To recommend strategies for controlling the spread of S. aureus in hospitals.

1.3 Significance of the Study

This study will help reveal how common S. aureus carriage is among healthcare workers. The findings will also help hospitals identify high-risk departments and improve hygiene practices. Moreover, understanding resistance patterns will guide the proper use of antibiotics. The study will support hospital management in planning regular screening and decolonization programs to reduce infection rates.

In addition, the research will serve as a valuable reference for future studies on bacterial carriage and infection control in healthcare settings.

1.4 Scope of the Study

The study will focus on healthcare workers in selected hospital departments, such as surgery, intensive care, and maternity units. Nasal swabs will be collected under sterile conditions and analyzed using standard microbiological techniques. The isolates will undergo biochemical tests and antibiotic susceptibility testing. However, the study will not include genetic typing or molecular characterization of the isolates.