Microbial Contamination and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Mobile Phones Used by Healthcare Workers in Nigerian Teaching Hospitals
Background
Mobile phones are widely used by healthcare workers for communication and clinical activities. Frequent handling of devices in patient care environments may facilitate microbial contamination and contribute to transmission of healthcare-associated pathogens. The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria on mobile phones represents an additional infection control concern. Understanding contamination patterns and resistance characteristics of bacterial isolates can support development of effective infection prevention strategies. This study seeks to assess microbial contamination and antimicrobial resistance among bacteria isolated from healthcare workers' mobile phones.
Research Objectives
- Determine the prevalence of bacterial contamination on mobile phones.
- Identify bacterial species recovered from mobile devices.
- Assess antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of isolates.
- Evaluate prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms.
- Examine factors associated with phone contamination.
Research Questions
- What proportion of mobile phones are contaminated with bacteria?
- Which bacterial species are most frequently isolated?
- What are the antimicrobial resistance profiles of the isolates?
- How prevalent are multidrug-resistant organisms?
- Which factors contribute to microbial contamination?
Suggested Methodology
A cross-sectional microbiological study will be conducted using swab samples collected from healthcare workers' mobile phones. Standard microbiological methods and susceptibility testing will be employed. Statistical analyses will identify contamination determinants and resistance trends.
Suggested Sample
Keywords
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