MICROBIAL CONTAMINATION OF DOOR HANDLES IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL IN JANUÁRIA, BRAZIL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24980/ucm.v14i16.6333Keywords:
cross-contamination, fomites, hand hygiene, staphylococcus aureus, microbial loadAbstract
Microbial contamination of door handles poses a potential threat to public health and safety, as these surfaces are frequently touched and may serve as fomites for pathogen transmission. This study aimed to assess the microbiological conditions of internal and external door handles at a public school in Januária, Brazil. Surface samples were collected from various sectors of the school and analyzed for total counts of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and Staphylococcus aureus. The results indicated that the door handles were contaminated with potentially pathogenic microorganisms, representing a significant health risk to users. The findings underscore the need for stricter hygiene measures for frequently touched surfaces. Strategies such as installing alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers near doors, conducting educational campaigns on hand hygiene, and regularly disinfecting door handles with appropriate cleaning agents can significantly reduce microbial load in these environments.
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