07/01/2020
Critical information about the danger of UNCLEAN DOOR HANDLES.
Study is titled "Bacterial contamination of door handles in selected public conveniences"
"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.
"
