Microbial Air Quality Assessment of a Tertiary Hospital in Makurdi, North-Central Nigeria

Biomedical Sciences | Research article | https://doi.org/10.47262/SL/14.1.132026150

Chiamaka Chikwem1*, Celestine U. Aguoru2, Thomas Okoh2, Chizoba S. Onuora3, Osinachi M. Ozioko4

1 Department of Environmental Science, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Nigeria

2 Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Nigeria

3 Quality Control Analyst, Chanelle Pharma, Galway, Ireland

4 Centre for Environmental Management and Control, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

Abstract

The levels of airborne bacteria and fungi in the environment of a tertiary hospital in Makurdi, North-Central Nigeria were assessed within 10 selected areas/conditions: theatre at rest (TAR), electrosurgery (ES), inhalational anesthetics (IA), electrosurgery + inhalational anesthetics (ESIA), back of the hospital (BACK), front of the hospital (FRONT), generator house area of the hospital (GEN-H), accident and emergency ward (A&E), intensive care unit (ICU), and microbiology lab (M-LAB). Measurements of the temperature and relative humidity of the sampled areas were also taken. The results were then compared with international microbial air quality guidelines. Mean relative humidity exceeded limits in TAR, ES, ESIA, FRONT, A&E, and M-LAB. Mean bacterial total viable counts (TVCs) exceeded acceptable limits in 5 of the areas assessed (ES, IA, A&E, M-LAB, and GEN-H) while mean fungal TVCs also exceeded acceptable limits in 5 areas (ES, A&E, M-LAB, FRONT, and GEN-H). The most commonly found bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus and Cyanobacterium, while the most commonly found fungal species were species of Aspergillus and Candida albicans. The presence and exceedance of both bacterial and fungal species may result from high relative humidity, the number and activities of occupants in such environments, ineffective disinfecting agents, cleaning frequencies or methods, and/or resistance to their antimicrobial activity. It is recommended that hospital management ensure that the operating theatre (OT) and other departments have adequate air conditioning and ventilation, and regularly assess and evaluate their air to ensure that it is healthy for hospital occupants.