Microbiological Assessment of Day Care Fomites and Air Quality in Ayobo Community, Lagos

The microflora of fomites and air in day-care centres was investigated using standard microbiological procedures. Each of these samples was collected twice in a day, after and before sanitation. The total heterotrophic bacterial and fungal count of samples collected after sanitation ranged from 5.2x106 to 2.88x107 CFU/ml, and from 1.0x106 to 8.0x106 CFU/ml, respectively, while samples collected before sanitation ranged from 6.5x106 to 2.88x107 CFU/ml, and from 1.0x106 to 9.7x106 CFU/ml, respectively. The microorganisms isolated in the study included: Staphylococcus aureus, Serratia spp., Shigella flexneri, Citrobacter spp., Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, Aspergillus flavus and Rhizopus stolonifer. Data on the assessment of the day-care indoor environment were obtained using a questionnaire. Due to some suspected factors, such as seasonal climatic changes and poor hygiene practices, a high record of resistance of the microorganisms to most antibiotics was observed. All Gram-negative bacteria isolated were resistant to Septrin and Chloramphenicol, while Serratia sp., Citrobacter spp., S. typhi, P. aeruginosa, E. aerogenes and P. vulgaris were susceptible to one or several antibiotics. Sanitation is a tool used to control the presence and spread of pathogenic microorganism, but only when carried out using an appropriate and effective method. Every day-care centre should ensure they always practice and teach good hygiene for the safety and wellbeing of the children.