JAC Advance Access originally published online on November 4, 2008
Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 2009 63(1):209-214; doi:10.1093/jac/dkn447
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Original research |
A survey on public knowledge and perceptions of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
1 NHS Tayside, Dundee, Scotland, UK 2 University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, UK 3 Scottish Primary Care Research Network, Dundee, Scotland, UK 4 Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, Scotland, UK
Received 26 May 2008; returned 3 July 2008; revised 11 September 2008; accepted 29 September 2008
* Corresponding author. Directorate of Public Health, Tayside NHS Board, Kings Cross, Clepington Road, Dundee DD3 8EA, Scotland, UK. Tel: +44-1382-424191; Fax: +44-1382-424027; E-mail: phyllis.easton{at}nhs.net
Objectives: The aim of the study was to establish knowledge and understanding of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) among patients, visitors and members of the general public accessing health services and to identify public education needs in relation to MRSA.
Participants and methods: Survey participants were recruited through 15 general practice surgeries across Tayside and through a young people’s health and information project in Dundee city centre and at a health information facility at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee.
Results: There were 1000 responses. The majority (86%) had heard of MRSA, 59% knew that it is a bacterium and 47% were aware that a healthy person can have MRSA without feeling ill. Those who knew someone who had had MRSA (32%) showed greater knowledge but greater worry about getting MRSA if admitted to hospital. Knowledge of possible treatments was variable, with 7% of respondents thinking of MRSA as untreatable. Across all groups, most estimates of MRSA prevalence were much higher than actual prevalence.
Conclusions: Public awareness of MRSA and its treatment was higher than expected, mainly gained through the media, but with considerable gaps in knowledge. Knowing someone with MRSA makes the individual more likely to be knowledgeable about MRSA in general, but more likely to think it is untreatable and almost twice as likely to be worried about contracting MRSA if admitted to hospital. The findings of this survey will inform the development of educational packages for the general public, as well as patients entering hospital and their visitors.
Keywords: hospital infection , awareness , patient education