Assessment of Microbial Colonization of Hands of Nursery School Pupils in Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria
Helen Ifeoma Udujih
Institute of Infectious Diseases, Biosafety and Biosecurity, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Peace Ngozi Chuwuemeka
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
Chizaram Winners Ndubueze *
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Imo State University, Owerri, Nigeria.
Mitchelle Ifechi Udujih
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Rhema University, Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This study assessed the microbial colonisation of the hands of nursery school pupils in Orlu, Nigeria. Ethical approval was obtained from the management of the schools, and thirty participants were recruited for the study. Samples were collected by swabbing the palms of the study participants before and after meals. This was followed by transporting the samples to the laboratory to isolate and identify bacterial and fungal species. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the bacterial isolates was also determined. The study's results were analysed to obtain the mean, standard deviation, and frequency distribution. In this study, the isolated bacterial organisms include Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella sp, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Bacillus sp. Furthermore, fungal organisms, including Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Fusarium, were also isolated. These findings suggest that bacterial and fungal pathogens colonise the hands of some nursery school pupils in the study locations. Therefore, parents, caregivers, and teachers of nursery school pupils must ensure that these should learn and adhere to the practice of good hand hygiene.
Keywords: Fungi, bacteria, hand hygiene, microbial load, school, children