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Abstract
several communities. In time past, door knobs among other formites has posed as one significant route of transfer of the causal organism epidemic outbreaks.
Methodology: Door knobs of toilets, offices and rooms in Babcock University were evaluated to determine the level of bacterial contamination and to identify the bacteria contaminants. Eighty (80) swab samples were obtained from various doorknobs of offices, halls of residence and toilets. The swab samples were inoculated, pure cultures were obtained, Gram stained and biochemical tests were carried out on the isolates for identification.
Result: Seven bacterial contaminants were isolated. These organisms includes P. aeruginosa which had the highest prevalence 32.1%, followed by K. pneumoniae (20.5%), Bacillus species (11.6%), Proteus species (11.6%), Neisseria species (9.8%), while E. coli (7.1%) and S. aureus (7.1%). This shows that door handles are potential carriers of pathogenic bacteria which are capable of causing epidemics.
Conclusion: Therefore, a combined effort of governmental, private organizations and individuals to educate the populace on personal and environmental hygiene is necessary to prevent spread of disease through door handles.
Keywords: Door Handles/knobs, formite, Bacterial contamination, Epidemics, Pathogenic bacteria.,