Knowledge Regarding Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among Second, Third and Fourth year B.Sc. Nursing Students at Three State Universities in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are becoming more prevalent in clinical settings. This results in increased morbidity and mortality, and increased health care costs. Nursing students are at high risk of being exposed MRSA. Nursing students' noncompliance with infection control precautions has its effects not only on patients, but also on nursing students themselves. Methods A descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted among 252 undergraduate B.Sc. Nursing students at universities of Sri Jayewardenepura, Ruhuna and Peradeniya. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge regarding MRSA. Data analysis was done in the SPSS Version 16.0 and Chi square test was used to determine statistical significance. Results Total of 252 participants, nearly 45 % were from University of Ruhuna, 28 % were from University of Sri Jayewardenepura and 27 % were from University of Peradeniya. The majority were females (71.1 %) and 28.9 % were males. The majority of the students had used more than one type of media to get information regarding MRSA and these included lectures, written materials and discussions with hospital staff members. Majority of participants had good knowledge (63.1%) regarding MRSA whereas only a few had excellent knowledge (6 %). Nearly 61 % of female students and almost 69 % of male students had Moderate knowledge regarding MRSA. There was no significant association between sex and the knowledge level of the participants (p=0.065). The majority of fourth year students (70.5 %) had good knowledge compared with other academic years. There was a statistically significant association between academic year and knowledge level regarding MRSA (p=0.00). Conclusion Study showed that the majority of the B.Sc. Nursing undergraduates of universities of Sri Jayewardenepura, Ruhuna and Peradeniya possessed good knowledge about Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.