Microbial Content of "Bowl Water" Used for Communal Handwashing in Preschools within Accra Metropolis, Ghana

Abstract

Objective. This study aimed at determining the microbial content of "bowl water" used for communal handwashing in preschools within the Accra Metropolis. Method. Six (6) preschools in the Accra Metropolis were involved in the study. Water samples and swabs from the hands of the preschool children were collected. The samples were analysed and tested for bacteria, fungi, parasites, and rotavirus. Results. Eight different bacteria, two different parasites, and a fungus were isolated while no rotavirus was detected. Unlike the rest of the microbes, bacterial isolates were found among samples from all the schools, with Staphylococcus species being the most prevalent (40.9%). Out of the three schools that had parasites in their water, two of them had Cryptosporidium parvum. The fungus isolated from two out of the six schools was Aspergillus niger. All bacteria isolated were found to be resistant to cotrimoxazole, ciprofloxacin, and ampicillin and susceptible to amikacin and levofloxacin. Conclusion. Although handwashing has the ability to get rid of microbes, communal handwashing practices using water in bowls could be considered a possible transmission route and may be of public concern.

Figure 1

Modified ZN stained slides of parasites identified. (α) Oocysts of Cyclospora cayetanensis. (β) Oocyst of Cryptosporidium parvum. (a) represents magnification of ×1000 while (b) is a zoom-in of the oocyst.

Figure 2

Percentage resistance of antibiotics tested. Six out of the eight isolates tested, namely, Salmonella species, Citrobacter species, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae,and Klebsiella oxytoca. The values of diameter (mm) measurement that were considered sensitive are as follows: tetracycline ≥ 26, cefotaxime ≥ 26, cotrimoxazole ≥ 24, ampicillin ≥ 17, gentamicin ≥ 20, ciprofloxacin ≥ 21, cefuroxime ≥ 18, meropenem ≥ 16, amikacin ≥ 20, chloramphenicol ≥ 30, ceftriaxone ≥ 21, and levofloxacin ≥ 17.

Figure 3

A wet preparation of Aspergillus niger showing “sporing structure.” ((a) and (b)) From hands of school children, (c) from soapy water.