Abstract The present study aimed to determine the incidence and contributing factors of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) colonization in school children. The objectives of the study were to determine the incidence and contributing factors of MRSA colonization in school children, find out the association between incidences of MRSA colonization in school children and selected contributing factors and to identify the association between incidence of MRSA colonization and selected demographic variables. A conceptual framework based on Nola J. Pender’s Health Promotion Model was developed to guide the study forward. This research study was conducted in 200 school children from selected schools of Malappuram district. A structured questionnaire was used to identify the contributing factors of MRSA colonization. Data from 200 school children and their parents were collected after validating the tool and the data analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The sample was subjected to nasal swab screening and antibiotic sensitivity test. Results revealed that out of the 200 sample, 105(52.5%) were Staphylococcus Aureus positive, out of which 32(30.4%) were MRSA isolates. 73(69.5%) of the 105 sample were Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus Aureus (MSSA) positive. The results affirmed that engaging in group play activities (P value 0.01) and attending camps ( P value 0.04) have significant association with incidence of MRSA colonization n school children at 0.05 significance level. The study reveals that MRSA colonization has no significant association with demographic variables.
Keywords: Incidence; Contributing Factors; Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA); Colonization; Methicillin Sensitive Staphylococcus Aureus(MSSA).