Prevalence and Factors Associated with Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Nasal Carriage Among People Living with HIV at Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRS) infections are a significant public health concern. Anterior nares serve as a major reservoir and source of spread of MRS ssp. People living with HIV (PLWHIV) tend to be at higher risk of colonisation with MRS organisms due to frequent healthcare exposure. We assessed the prevalence of MRS nasal carriage and associated factors among PLWHIV at the HIV clinic of Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda, from May to July 2024. Nasal swabs from 256 PLWHIV were cultured, and microbiological isolation was performed at MBN Clinical Laboratories. Prevalence was calculated as proportions, and logistic regression identified associations with clinical and socio-demographic factors (p < 0.05). Of 256 participants, 163 (63.7%) carried Staphylococcus, with 82 (32%) identified as MRS carriers (8.9% MRSA, 23% MRCoNS). Frequent hospital visits ([&ge;]3) (adjusted incidence risk ratio [A-IRR] = 1.18 x 107, p < 0.001), second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) (A-IRR = 3.82, p = 0.041), and unsuppressed viral load (>1000 copies/mL) (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 11.3, 95% CI: 2.11-60.58, p = 0.005) were significantly associated with MRS carriage. Mask-wearing was protective against MRCoNS (A-IRR = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.06-2.58, p = 0.026). MRS isolates exhibited high resistance to erythromycin (81.7%) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (79.3%), but susceptibility to linezolid (93.9%). MRS nasal carriage is prevalent among PLWHIV. Individuals with frequent health care contact and those on second-line ART regimens are more susceptible to MRS colonization, while individuals who wear face masks and those with an undetectable HIV viral load are less susceptible. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) surveillance within HIV programs, enhanced infection control, ART adherence, and targeted screening for high-risk groups are critical to mitigate colonization.