RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess high school athletic programs' infection prevention policies and procedures and to estimate the frequency of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) among Iowa's high school athletes. METHODS: An on-line survey of high school athletic programs. RESULTS: Nearly 60% of programs responded. Schools in higher classifications were more likely to have a certified athletic trainer (AT; P < 0.0001) and to report that they had a policy preventing athletes with SSTIs from participating in athletic events than were schools in lower classifications (P = 0.0002). Programs that had an AT reported that athletic training equipment (P = 0.01) and tables (P = 0.02) were cleaned more frequently than did programs without ATs. Programs were significantly more likely to provide training equipment than to provide soap or towels. About 57% of programs reported that at least one athlete acquired an SSTI during the prior school year, including methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (N = 14; 10.8%). Programs that had an AT (P = 0.02) were in higher classifications (P < 0.0001), educated athletes about SSTIs (P < 0.0001), or had policies regarding athletes with SSTIs (P = 0.01) were more likely than other programs to report having at least one athlete with an SSTI. The estimated SSTI rate per 1000 athletes ranged from 22.0 in 1A to 5.9 in 4A programs. CONCLUSIONS: SSTIs are common among Iowa's high school athletes. Staff should review and update their infection prevention policies. Athletic programs need resources to support infection prevention efforts.
