Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #111648

Sara A. Zimmerman, MPH¹, Gary Black, BA², Jonathan Levin, MPH³, Linda Sullivan, RN, BSN⁴, and Maria Bonaiuto, RN, MSN⁴. (1) Epidemiology Program, Mecklenburg County Health Department, 249 Billingsley Road, Charlotte, NC 28211, 704-336-6456, sara.zimmerman@carolinashealthcare.org, (2) Health Communication, Mecklenburg County Health Department, 249 Billingsley Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211, (3) Health Promotion, Mecklenburg County Health Department, 249 Billingsley Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211, (4) School Health, Mecklenburg County Health Department, 249 Billingsley Road, Charlotte, NC 28211

Background: This project will determine the efficacy of a communication and policy-based intervention in response to a recent outbreak of over 35 cases of CA-MRSA among high school athletes in Mecklenburg County, NC, in the fall of 2003. This emerging pathogen causes a range of pathologies and persists on the skin, making treatment challenging and eradication impossible. Contact sports and shared equipment help facilitate transmission. CA-MRSA is not reportable in NC. Methods: A video, brochure, and website were developed to educate athletes, parents, and athletic personnel about proper hygiene procedures used to prevent and control CA-MRSA. A Fear Appeals assessment tool indicated that the prevention message contained in the video was effective. Pre and post tests were administered along with the video to a sample of high school athletes to assess current hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Results: Pre/Post tests showed: 86.4% increase in knowledge and attitude of effectiveness of hand washing, 6.4% in showering, 240.4% in cleaning shared equipment, and 145.4% in reporting suspicious sores. Based upon our recommendations, school policy was changed to require the use of this video and brochure as a part of all physical education and sports activity. Fewer than 10 cases have been identified this year. The health department further defined its role in managing emerging infectious disease by developing and implementing this health communication strategy. Conclusions: Proper hygiene is essential for the prevention and control of CA-MRSA in the athletic setting. Compliance can be improved through a health communication and community mobilization effort.

Learning Objectives:

• Increased awareness of the threat posed by this emerging pathogen and describe settings where it are most likely to occur.
• Construct a communication intervention to address MRSA in the athletic setting.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention prior to and after its implementation.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Infectious Diseases

Related Web page: www.meckhealth.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.