BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION OF DOOR HANDLES/KNOBS IN SELECTED PUBLIC CONVENIENCES IN ABUJA METROPOLIS, NIGERIA: A PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT

The increasing incidence of epidemic outbreaks of certain diseases and its rate of spread from one community to the other has become a major public health concern. Door handles/knobs of public conveniences of selected public offices, motor parks, and markets in Abuja metropolis were investigated for bacteria contamination. Out of the 180 swab samples cultured, 156 (86.7%) were positive. They were more positive samples from female toilet handles/knobs (41.7%) and bathroom door handles/knobs (11.5%) than males. The study also found that toilet door handles/knobs in markets, motor parks and restaurants had higher rate of contamination compared to Government offices, and banks. Contamination was also higher in toilet door handles/knobs (87.2%) than in bathroom door handles/knobs (85%). Most of the bacteria contaminants were Coliforms. The isolated bacterial contaminants were Staphylococcus aureus (30.1%), Klebsiella Pneumoniae (25.7%), Escherichia coli (16 community health superintendents, sanitary officers and Environmental Protection Board as well as private organizations to educate the populace on personal and environmental hygiene. 1%), Enterobacter species (11.2%), Citrobacter species (7.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.9%), and Proteus Species (4.5%).  This shows that the city’s convenient places habours highly pathogenic bacteria which have the potentials of causing epidemics in the near future. Therefore, community health superintendents, sanitary officers and Environmental Protection Board as well as private organizations should educate the populace on personal and environmental hygiene.