ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is defined as when a bacterial strain shows resistance against antibiotics that normally inhibit or stop their growth and allow them to withstand against drugs.The present study was designed to assess the prevalence of MRSA among outpatients presenting Evbougida primary health center, Egor LGA Benin city, Nigeria. A total of 26 urine and swab samples were studied between February 2021 to April 2021. This study was extrapolated from a wider study of MDRE and MRSA prevalence among patients in health centers in Benin-city, Nigeria. Microbial enumeration and identification were carried out using cultural and biochemical methods. Microbial counts were carried out using cultural characterization, Gram staining techniques and biochemical tests including; oxidase, indole, sugar fermentation, citrate, motility, methyl red, catalase, urease and antimicrobial susceptibility test (using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique). Most of the samples tested were positive for S. aureus and MRSA. From the study, it was observed that, patients between the ages of 18-24 had the highest percentage of MRSA (54.2%), while females had a higher percentage (66.7%) than males, Business and other works had the highest frequency of 25% each and Patients receiving between 11,000-99,999 had the highest percentage of 85.7%. Findings from this study revealed that both S. aureus and MRSA had high prevalence in the distribution by participants’ social demographic characteristics. Hence, MRSA poses a potential public health risk and therefore, MRSA awareness and hygienic precautions should be taken.