Analysis of Risk Factors Associated With Asymptomatic Colonization of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Among Community College Students

The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus has been an important human ailment for centuries, and with the overuse of antibiotics, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged as a deadly, costly pathogen worldwide. Healthy carriers can become sick or can spread MRSA without symptoms. The amount of asymptomatic colonization among healthy college students and risk factors for colonization by MRSA are not well understood. According to the epidemiologic triangle model, the host (students who take antibiotics or have a history of skin infections), the infectious agent (MRSA) and the environment (direct contact with people, animals, or objects that may harbor MRSA) all play an important role in this disease. This study explored MRSA colonization rates among healthy students at a community college and explored the possibility that students exposed to sources of MRSA might have a higher colonization rate. Using a cross-sectional quantitative design with stratified sampling, risk factors to include student\u27s discipline, gender, race, work, and leisure exposure were surveyed. In tandem, Mannitol Salt Agar and MRSA Select Agar were inoculated from nasal swabs to identify students colonized by MRSA. The data were analyzed using contingency tables and Chi Squares. Significant risk factors identified included students who had a major that involved touching shared equipment and/or those who were in majors such as nursing, students who had close contact with animals, and students who had a skin infection. The implication for positive social change include improved awareness of MRSA colonization and risk factors which can lead to better prevention strategies and increased awareness among the student population

Adoption of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) for Librarians’ Professional Development in Africa

Librarian development is the process of constantly strengthening professional attainment, broadening academic knowledge, and enhancing skills. This chapter explores how Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), can be used as continuing professional development of a librarian. This chapter narrates how MOOCs may offer a librarian an opportunity to upgrade their skills or further their education. It explains the benefits and challenges of the adoption of MOOCs for continuing professional development in developing countries and how this can be applied in developing economies. The major benefits of MOOCs to librarians are to help in professional and personal learning, but most librarians who wish to experience progressive career-development are yet to ascertain this fact. The chapter concludes that librarians have the opportunity to leverage this technology to improve their relevant professional skills in the 21st century. It is also established that the adoption and use of MOOCs among professional librarians in Africa is low as in advanced countries