MICROBIAL ANALYSIS AND ANTIBIOGRAM OF CAR INTERIORS OF HEALTH WORKERS IN AKWA IBOM STATE POLYTECHNIC MEDICAL CENTRE

This study explores the microbial ecosystem within car interiors, specifically targeting vehicles owned by healthcare workers at the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic Medical Center. The investigation employed standard microbiological techniques to assess microbial presence and diversity by collecting 20 swabs from various surfaces, such as the steering wheel, dashboard, gear handle, and driver's seats across five vehicles. Notably, the analysis revealed significant variations in microbial load across different surfaces, with the driver's seat and gear handle in particular vehicles exhibiting the highest bacterial colony counts. The results revealed varying levels of microbial contamination in different areas. For instance, the driver's seat in sample A exhibited the highest total colony count at 120 Cfu/m2, followed by the steering wheel with 41 Cfu/m2. Similar findings were observed in the other samples, highlighting the presence of potentially harmful microorganisms. The study observed that fungal species identified varied in prevalence, with Aspergillus sp. The most common are Fusarium sp., Candida sp., and Penicillium sp., in descending order of frequency. Furthermore, the study assessed the antimicrobial susceptibility of the bacterial isolates, uncovering a spectrum of sensitivity and resistance to various antibiotics. The findings underscore the car interior as a potential reservoir for transmitting pathogenic microorganisms to occupants, posing public health implications, particularly for healthcare workers who may inadvertently contribute to disseminating these organisms. This research highlights the need for regular microbial surveillance and the implementation of effective sanitation practices within personal and professional vehicles to mitigate health risks.