Background and Objectives: Nosocomial infections are associated with complications, mortality, and imposing high costs. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common strain causing nosocomial infections. Colonization of this microorganism in the nose is also a source of spread of nosocomial infection. In this study, the prevalence of nasal carriers of this bacterium, was investigated among the staff of Hazrate Masoumeh Hospital.

Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was performed on all the staff of Hazrate Masoumeh Hospital, who were in contact with patients. A nasal sample was obtained using a sterile swap. The samples were cultured in a culture medium appropriate for staphylococcus aureus, and antibiogram was performed for positive culture sample. Data were analyzed using chi-square, independent t- and ANOVA tests. The significance level was considered to be p<0.05.

Results: Of 90 subjects (25 men and 65 women), 37 subjects were diagnosed to be Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriers. The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus infection had no significant difference among the participant in term of demographic variables, and 89.7% of the samples were susceptible to vancomycin, 93.1% to mupirocin, 96.6% to imipenem, 89.7% to oxacillin, and 3.4% to methicillin.

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, which indicate the high prevalence of the Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriers among the hospital staff, it is possible to reduce mortality and economic costs in the hospitals through observation of hygiene practices by the personnel, who are a source of spread of nosocomial infection and through proper treatment of the diagnosed cases.