PREVALENCE OF AEROFLORA CONTAMINATION IN OUT-PATIENT SECTION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRES IN OGUN STATE

Abstract

Microbial contamination of primary health centre is a major cause of Nosocomial infection (NI). This study assessed the level of bacterial contamination in the outpatient section of five selected Community Health Centres in Ogun State which included two private and three government owned clinics. The open plate technique was adopted for the air sampling. The Isolated bacteria were identified using their morphological characteristics and biochemical tests. Antibiotics sensitivity testing of the isolates were also done using Kirby-Bauer Disc diffusion method. There was a significant difference (P≥0.05) in the population of out-patient in the analyzed health centres during sampling which ranged from 4e -32a, while the environmental temperature of the sampling locations also ranged from 23c – 25a oC. There was a significant difference (P≥0.05) in the colony forming units (cfu/cm3) of the sampling locations. At the end of 48 hrs of incubation for 10, 20 and 30 minutes of sampling durations, colony counts ranged from 7e – 68a, 14e – 202a and 16e – 262a cfu/cm3 respectively. Moreover, from the results of morphological and biochemical tests carried out, the genera Staphylococcus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, and Citrobacter were isolated. These findings call for a thorough review of infection control measures in the primary health centre environment across the country by the authorities to forestall undesirable consequences which will help in the reduction of nosocomial infection.