Infection Control Practices and Methicillin-Resistant Skin Infections: A Survey of Students in US Chiropractic Programs.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence of self-reported history of physician-diagnosed methicillin-resistant (MRSA) skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) among chiropractic students and any association with infection control behaviors (hand and table hygiene, sharing gowns, and sharing lotion) and initiation of patient care.

Methods: Questionnaires were obtained from 312 students attending half (9/18) of US chiropractic campuses. The questionnaire was derived from earlier studies led by Bearman in 2010 and Evans in 2007. Associations were assessed with Fisher exact test. Crude odds ratios were calculated for each of the variables. Two logistic regression models were produced.

Results: Attendance at 1 campus was associated with postmatriculation MRSA SSTI in univariate analysis ( = .010). The logistic regression model was significant ( < .05), but the composing variables were not.

Conclusions: Fewer than 5 cases of MRSA SSTI were detected overall, revealing a low rate of reported postmatriculation MRSA SSTI among these students. There was a univariate association with postmatriculation MRSA SSTI at 1 chiropractic college.