title: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: awareness and perceptions.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate levels of awareness and the perceived risk of contracting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) amongst patients/visitors and employees of the UK National Health Service (NHS). Differences between the two cohorts were also investigated, particularly sources of information about MRSA. In March 2005, a piloted questionnaire was circulated to 50 patients/visitors and 100 NHS employees (25 doctors, 25 nurses, 25 domestics and 25 porters). No information was returned from porters, but the overall response rate was 67%. There was a high level of awareness of MRSA among both patients/visitors (94%) and NHS employees (100%). General media was the most common source of information for patients/visitors (68%) compared with 24% of NHS employees (P < 0.01). Perceived risk of contracting MRSA was very similar among patients/visitors and NHS employees (34% vs 35%, P > 0.10). Fifty-two percent of doctors felt that they were at risk compared with 13% of domestic employees. In conclusion, this study showed a high level of awareness among the general public and healthcare workers alike.
authors.affiliation: Division of Primary Care, Public and Occupational Health, Primary Care Clinical Sciences Building, School of Medicine, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wiskin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001364:Awareness; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D008297:Male; D016106:Methicillin Resistance; D008875:Middle Aged; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom; D014789:Visitors to Patients / Q000523:psychology