Prevalence of Bacteria Associated with Mobile Phones of Inpatients in Some Hospitals in Ardo-Kola Metropolis, Nigeria

Mobile phones are carried everywhere thus coming in contact with various surfaces. Inpatients' mobile phones may contain potential nosocomial causing microbes to the inpatient, family members, and the general public. Thirty-two (32) inpatient phones were chosen at random from three study areas to see if they could function as formites and contain bacteria that could be transferred. First Referral Hospital Sunkani, Primary Healthcare Kofai and Lafiya clinic ATC) in Ardo Kola Local Government, Taraba State were the study area. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of bacterial contamination on inpatients' phones and to identify bacterial isolates. A swab sample from each inpatient's phone (using a moist sterile swab), as well as a self-administered questionnaire, was retrieved. Samples were cultured in nutrient, blood and macConkey’s agar using the streak method, bacteria were identified using Gram staining and a few biochemical assays (indole, citrate utilization, catalase, oxidase, coagulase, and urease test). The overall prevalence of mobile phone contamination with one or more bacteria was 90.6 percent, with the most common bacteria isolates being Staphylococcus aureus (46.9%) and Escherichia coli (34.4%), and the least common bacteria isolates being Klebsiella spp. (12.5%) and Enterococcus spp. (12.5%). As a result, using various methods to control the growth of bacteria, such as restricting mobile phone use in hospitals and implementation of proper hand washing hygiene, is necessary to shed bacterial burden and reduce contamination.