Human Fecal Contamination of Toilet Doors and Food Preparation Surfaces in Households with Poor-Quality Sanitation Facilities in Ibule-Soro, Nigeria: Infection risks from faecal contamination of surfaces

Timileyin Olanrewaju; Adewale   Olalemi; Jumoke  Olaleye

doi:10.53848/ssstj.v13i1.1215

Authors

Timileyin Olanrewaju Federal University of Technology,Nigeria
Adewale Olalemi Federal University of Technology,Nigeria
Jumoke Olaleye Federal University of Technology,Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53848/ssstj.v13i1.1215

Keywords:

Bacteria, faecal contamination, fomites, hygeine, sanitation

Abstract

Contaminated surfaces are potential breeding habitats for pathogenic organisms. Toilet doors and food preparation surfaces may serve as fomites in the indirect transmission of pathogens as a result of fecal contamination. This study set out to determine the bacterial communities and levels of enteric bacteria on toilet doors and food preparation surfaces in households with poor-quality toilet facilities in Ibule-Soro, Nigeria. 24 Swab samples from toilet doors and food preparation surfaces were collected from each of the five households over a period of six months within 12 sampling events. The abundance and identity of bacteria in the samples were determined using both culture-based and molecular methods (16S rRNA gene sequencing). Risks factors of fecal contamination were also assessed. Results revealed that the concentration of Escherichia coli ranged from 2.15 to 2.64 log₁₀ CFU/ml) while Salmonella ranged from 1.07 to 2.15 log₁₀CFU/ml. The common bacterial phyla detected were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Firmicutes while Proteobacteria was the most abundant (42.45%) phylum. Risk factors such as toilet facilities, most especially ‘No toilet’ and ‘Manageable access to soap’ exhibited high significant association with the presence and load of Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Proteus. Toilet doors had higher frequency of occurrence of enteric bacteria than food preparation surfaces but food preparation surfaces had higher load of enteric bacteria than toilet doors. Isolates from toilet doors had higher normal distribution pattern than isolates from food preparation surfaces. In order to protect human health from infections, the quality of the toilet facilities in the households must be improved, adequate hygiene practices must be encouraged and food preparation surfaces must be cleaned and sanitized regularly.

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