NASAL CARRIERS OF METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA), INFECTION SAFETY AND HAND HYGIENE AMONG HEALTH WORKERS IN SULAIMANI CITY

Background Staphylococcus aureus, a well known constant human pathogen that also exploit human as carrier to new hosts when inhabiting area like nose and skin. Over years strains had emerged with ability to resist the effect of several antimicrobial agents. The ability to resist the methicillin caused by different genetic backgrounds was one of the problems in the fight against these organisms. Objectives This study was aimed to isolate and identify Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) inhabiting the nose of health workers in the main hospitals in Sulaimani city and to identify the susceptibility of these strains to several antimicrobial agents, also to inquire about daily infection safety and hand hygiene practice of the health workers. Methods To those who agreed to participate in the study, questionnaires were documented. Nasal swabs were obtained and isolation of Staphylococci was done on selective media, then S. aureus was confirmed and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility using disk diffusion method.