Detection of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Community Settings in Ibadan, Oyo State

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) has emerged as a distinct clinical and epidemiological entity from its hospital-associated counterpart, causing serious skin and soft tissue infections in otherwise healthy individuals. This community-based cross-sectional study detected CA-MRSA in nasal and skin swabs from apparently healthy individuals in selected communities in Ibadan, Oyo State, in the South West geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Samples were collected from 250 non-hospitalized adults in three high-density residential areas. Staphylococcus aureus was confirmed by mannitol salt agar culture, Gram staining, catalase, and coagulase tests. MRSA was identified using the cefoxitin 30-microgram disc screen per CLSI 2023 criteria. The overall S. aureus carriage rate was 32 percent. MRSA was detected in 19.2 percent of S. aureus carriers, representing a community MRSA prevalence of 6.1 percent. Overcrowded housing, recent antibiotic use without prescription, and skin-to-skin contact occupational exposure were significantly associated with MRSA carriage. These findings confirm active community dissemination of MRSA in Ibadan and underscore the importance of over-the-counter antibiotic regulation, community surveillance programs, and public awareness initiatives targeting high-risk populations. Keywords: MRSA, community-associated, nasal carriage, Ibadan, antibiotic resistance.