Carriage of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> on armpits of secondary school and university students in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Cross Sectional Study of Skin Carriage and Enterotoxigenicity of Staphylococcus aureus among Food Handlers

“…The association between age and Staphylococcus aureus carriage in older age has been attributed to the fact that old participants have increased lifetime exposure to antibiotics which consequently affects prevalence rates. The current results are comparable to those estimated in previous records [20] [23] and the carriage rate cited was nearly the same among the two age groups investigated (20 -40 and 40 -60). There is evidence from large population-based studies for an inverse association between current smoking and S. aureus carriage among both men and women; in the Rotterdam study, smoking was associated with a 36% reduced risk and in the Tromso Staph and Skin Study the S. aureus carriage rate was 28% lower in smokers than in non-smokers (P < 0.01) [24] [25].…”

“…None of the surveyed factors demonstrated statistically significant association with staphylococcus skin carriage. These findings are in agreement with other studies that demonstrated that gender did not influence skin carriage of staphylococcus [19] [20] however, larger populationbased cross-sectional studies have reported higher risk of S. aureus nasal carriage among men as compared with women [21]. In literature, the association between gender as a fixed factor and staphylococcal carriage remains unclear.…”

“…In literature, the association between gender as a fixed factor and staphylococcal carriage remains unclear. Earlier studies have also reported that age is a modifier for SA carriage, and the correlation between age and carriage was evident for high age groups as those over 70 [19] [22] and in some instances young age as teenagers (13 -18 years) which was reported in a study investigating staphylococcal carriage on armpits of secondary school students [20]. The association between age and Staphylococcus aureus carriage in older age has been attributed to the fact that old participants have increased lifetime exposure to antibiotics which consequently affects prevalence rates.…”

“…It was reported that variables such as the type of soap used, bathing and shaving frequency and use of deodorant had no effect on S. aureus skin carriage in the armpits of investigated individuals [20]. In another study on staphylococcal carriage in correctional facilities as jails and prisons, factors associated with MRSA skin harbour were multiple of which antibiotic use in the previous year and lower rate of showering were significant factors influencing skin carriage [27].…”