Dandawaki F. A1., Taura D. W1., Bashir M2., Yusuf, I1., Nalfa, A.J1.
1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Bayero University, Kano
2Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Modibbo Adama University, Yola
*Corresponding author’s Email: fiddausiado2@gmail.com, doi.org/10.55639/607.020100151
ABSTRACT
Hospital sinks and invasive medical devices can serve as reservoirs and transmission points for potentially pathogenic bacteria. This study investigated the occurrence and distribution of bacteria associated with hospital sinks and invasive medical devices in selected hospitals in Kano State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital (MMSH) and Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano. A total of 168 samples were collected from ward hand-washing sinks and invasive medical devices, including urinary catheters, cannulas, ventilators, nasogastric tubes, surgical drains, central venous catheters, and surgical implants. Samples were collected aseptically using sterile swabs and processed using standard microbiological techniques. Bacterial isolates were identified by Gram staining and conventional biochemical tests. Information on sink availability, water supply, cleaning frequency, and visible biofilm was obtained using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Student’s t-test and chi-square test, with significance set at p < 0.05. Marked differences in sink availability and hygiene practices were observed between the hospitals. MMSH had a high bed-to-sink ratio (30:1–34:1), irregular water supply, variable cleaning frequency, and visible biofilm in two wards. AKTH had a lower bed-to-sink ratio (3:1–6:1), although water supply was scarce in most wards; sinks were cleaned daily and no visible biofilm was observed. Diverse bacterial isolates were recovered from sinks and invasive devices. At MMSH, invasive devices, particularly urinary catheters and cannulas, yielded substantial isolates, with Proteus spp. (10), Enterobacter spp. (11), Klebsiella spp. (20), Bacillus spp. (11), and Escherichia coli (7) predominating. At AKTH, sinks were important bacterial reservoirs, with Klebsiella spp. (33), Enterobacter spp. (23), and Proteus spp. (20) most frequently isolated, while urinary catheters were the most frequently contaminated invasive devices. Hospital sinks and invasive medical devices therefore harboured diverse bacterial populations, with different contamination patterns between MMSH and AKTH. The predominance of potentially pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Klebsiella, Enterobacter, and Proteus spp., highlights their potential role in healthcare associated infections. Improved sink hygiene, adequate water supply, environmental decontamination, and continuous surveillance are recommended to reduce bacterial transmission within healthcare facilities.
KEYWORDS
Hospital Sinks,
Invasive
Medical
Devices,
Healthcare
Associated
Infections,
Kano State.
.