Abstract:
Hospital-acquired infections pose significant challenges in healthcare facilities, leading to higher rates of illness, death, and financial burdens. Inanimate objects within hospitals serve as vehicles for the spread of these harmful pathogens. The objective of this study was to test antibiotic sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from samples of mobile phones and hands of healthcare workers and patients visiting Ginchi General Hospital. This study investigates the microbial contamination of mobile phones and hands among healthcare workers and patients at Ginchi Primary Hospital, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional design was employed, collecting 200 swab samples from mobile phones and hands between April and June 2024. Inclusion criteria targeted healthcare professionals engaged in direct patient care and patients who regularly used mobile phones. Exclusion criteria ruled out non-mobile users and those unable to provide informed consent. Laboratory analyses utilized Mannitol salt agar for the isolation and identification of Staphylococcus aureus. Gram staining and biochemical tests, including catalase and coagulase tests, confirmed the presence of S. aureus. Results indicated that out of 200 samples, 162 were Gram-positive and 38 Gram-negative. All S. aureus isolates showed positive catalase and coagulase reactions. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed varying resistance patterns among the isolates, assessed via the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method in line with CLSI guidelines. Data analysis involved SPSS Version 26, with chi-squared tests to evaluate associations between categorical variables. Ethical approval was obtained from Ambo University and Ginchi Primary Hospital, ensuring informed consent from participants. A high prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus contamination from mobile phones, Hands of healthcare workers, and Patients has been found. This study indicates that 72.7% of the mobile phones of Healthcare Workers, and 68.2% hands of HCWs were contaminated with S. aureus. Most of the Staphylococcus aureus isolated were resistant to Tetracycline, Penicillin, and Rifampin and the majority of Staphylococcus aureus isolates were multidrug resistant. The absence of cleaning habits for mobile phones was the significantly associated factor of Staphylococcus aureus contamination of mobile phones and Hands in the current study. Further studies should be conducted with a large sample size including different possible associated factors and actual practice of healthcare workers and Patients
