Assessement of Bacteria Load from Door Handles in Madonna University, Nigeria

Abstract

Microorganisms can be found everywhere, bacteria and fungi contaminate human body, houses, workplaces, and environment. Fortunately, among many billions of bacteria, only 1500 can be dangerous for health, causing different disease such as pneumonia or skin infection. In the university environment, students have access to service offices regularly for different purposes. Given that the door handles are not routinely disinfected, the opportunity for the transmission of contaminating microorganisms is great. This study was carried out to evaluate the bacteria on door handles in Madonna University, Nigeria. Samples were collected using the swab-rinse method of the American Public Health Association. Each collected specimen was processed to identify the bacteria in the sample. The following processing techniques were employed: Culture, Gram staining and Biochemical test. The result of the study shows student affairs had Echerichia coli as the highest prevailing organism with 100%. Med lab scienece building had Staphylococcus aureus as the highest prevailing organism with a percentage of 50% Klebsiella pneumoniae with 33.3% and Echerichia coli with 16.7%. Meanwhile the blue and white administrative building had Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Klebsiella pneumoniae as the highest prevailing organism, with a percentage of 40% respectively. Science hall had a 100% prevalence of Klebsiella pneumoniae. This study also revealed the various percentage of gram reactions with gram negative having a higher percentage of reactions than gram positive. Since there are various forms of microorganisms found in the various door handles of these offices, it therefore, recommended that a proper sanitization be carried out from time to time, to ensure complete disinfection of these handles in other to limit or reduce the spread of these microorganisms.