Skip to content
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Menu
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Menu
Home
About Us
Resources
Profiles Metrics
Authors Directory
Institutions Directory
Top Authors
Top Institutions
Top Sponsors
AI Digest
Contact Us
Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
Bacterial contamination of stethoscopes used by health workers: Public health implications
Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, Volume 4, No. 7, Year 2010
Notification
URL copied to clipboard!
Description
Background: This study was designed to assess both the potential for bacterial transmission by stethoscopes used by health-care workers in Nigeria and the implications for patient safety and control of hospital-acquired infections. Methodology: A structured questionnaire was administered to health workers and the surface of the diaphragm of their stethoscopes swabbed for bacteriological analysis using standard techniques. Results and Conclusions: Of the 107 stethoscopes surveyed, 84 (79%) were contaminated with bacteria; 59 (81%) of the contaminated stethoscopes belonged to physicians and 25 (74%) were from other health workers. Isolates included Staphylococcus aureus (54%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (19%), Enterococcus faecalis (14%), and Escherichia coli (13%). All stethoscopes that had never been cleaned were contaminated while lower levels of contamination were found on those cleaned one week or less before the survey (χ2=22.4, P < 05). Contamination was significantly higher on stethoscopes cleaned with only water (100%) compared to those cleaned with alcohol (49%) (χ2 = 30.17, P < 05). Significantly fewer (9%) stethoscopes from health workers who washed their hands after seeing each patient were contaminated when compared with the instruments (86%) of those who did not practice hand washing (χ2 = 23.79, P 05). E. coli showed the highest antibiotic resistance, while S. aureus showed the highest antibiotic susceptibility. Strict adherence to stethoscope disinfection practices by health workers can minimize cross-contamination and ensure improved patient safety in hospital environments. © Uneke et al.
Authors & Co-Authors
Uneke, Chigozie Jesse
Nigeria, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State University
Ogbonna, Anayo
Nigeria
Federal Medical Centre Nigeria
Oyibo, Patrick Gold
Nigeria, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital
Onu, Christian M.
Nigeria, Abakaliki
Ebonyi State University
Statistics
Citations: 82
Authors: 4
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.3855/jidc.701
Research Areas
Environmental
Health System And Policy
Substance Abuse
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Quantitative
Study Locations
Nigeria