Which of the following is a common risk factor for healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA)?

Long-term antibiotic therapy is indeed a common risk factor for healthcare-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (HA-MRSA). The reason for this lies in the way antibiotics affect the normal flora and the overall microbiome of an individual. Prolonged use of antibiotics can disrupt the balance of bacteria in the body, especially in the skin and mucosal surfaces. This disruption can allow for the overgrowth of resistant organisms like MRSA, as susceptible bacteria are eliminated, creating a niche for resistant strains to flourish.

Additionally, prolonged antibiotic use can select for bacteria that have developed resistance mechanisms, making it more likely for an individual to harbor resistant pathogens. Given that HA-MRSA is often associated with healthcare environments, patients exposed to long-term antibiotic treatment, especially in hospital settings, are at increased risk for colonization or infection with MRSA strains.

In contrast, frequent outdoor activities, high productivity at work, and recent travel overseas are not directly linked to the risk of HA-MRSA. While these factors may play a role in other types of infections or healthcare-associated infections under certain conditions, they do not carry the same level of risk for HA-MRSA as long-term antibiotic therapy does.