Reducing MRSA infections in college student athletes: implementation of a prevention program.

An interventional prevention program, Training CAMP Program, was implemented with college football players (n = 98) in a Midwestern NCAA Division II college during the 2008 college football season. The program goal was a 50% reduction in community-acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) cases, as compared to the previous 3 seasons' average number of cases (12.6). Results showed a greater than 75% reduction in CA-MRSA in the target population, with only 3 cases recorded for the entire 2008 college football season. A 1-group pretest-posttest design paired t-test revealed increased knowledge and knowledge retention. Program description, implementation, evaluation, cost-effectiveness, and future recommendations are described.