A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE OF MULTI DRUG RESISTANT ESCHERICHIA COLI AMONG OUTPATIENTS PRESENTING EVBUOGIDA PRIMARY HEALTH CENTRE IN BENIN-CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is when a bacterial strain shows resistance against antibiotics that normally inhibit or stop their growth and allow them to withstand against drugs.The present study was designed to assess the prevalence of MRSA among outpatients presenting Evbougida primary health center, Egor LGA Benin City, Nigeria.  A total of 26 urine and swab samples were studied between February 2021 to April 2021. This study was extrapolated from a wider study of MDRE and MRSA prevalence among patients in health centers in Benin-city, Nigeria. Microbial enumeration and identification were carried out using cultural and biochemical methods. Microbial counts were carried out using cultural characterization, Gram staining techniques and biochemical tests including; oxidase, indole, sugar fermentation, citrate, motility, methyl red, catalase, urease and antimicrobial susceptibility test (using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique). Most of the samples tested were positive for E. coli and MRSA. From the study, it was observed that, patients between the ages of 25-34 had the highest percentage of MDRE (62.5%), while females had a higher percentage (100.0%) than males, other works had the highest frequency of 68.8% each and Patients receiving between 11,000-99,999 had the highest percentage of 77.8%. Findings from this study revealed MDRE had high prevalence in the distribution by participants social demographic characteristics. Hence, MDRE poses a potential public health risk and therefore, MDR awareness and hygienic precautions should be taken.