AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF BACTERIAL ISOLATES FROM THE NASAL AND HAND SWABS OF MEDICAL STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective: To study the bacterial isolates from the nasal and hand swabs of medical students. Methods: This a cross-sectional study conducted among the 4th and 6th year MBBS students. A total of 18 students (9 each from students from 4th and 6th year) were included in the study. The hand and nasal swabs were collected through standard methods. Results: Overall, Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent organism in hand swab among the 4th (44.4%) and 6th (55.5%) year medical students. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the second most common isolate in hand swab accounting for 33.3% each in 4th and 6th year students, however, difference was statistically insignificant (p>0.05). MRSA (50%) in nasal swab contributed among half of the medical students being insignificantly (p>0.05) higher in 4th year students (55.6%) compared to 6th year (44.4%). The percentage of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in hand swab was higher among the students of Pediatrics ward than other wards, each accounted 66.7%. The percentage of Gram positive in hand swab of students was 42.4% and 57.6% in nasal swab. However, the percentage of Gram positive in hand swab of ward was 38.7% and 52.6% in nasal swab.