<xhtml:span xmlns:xhtml="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en">METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS CONTAMINATION ON MOBILE PHONES OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND PATIENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL YAOUNDE</xhtml:span>

Abstract

Aims: The present study was undertaken to investigate Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSRA) contamination of the mobile phones of the Healthcare workers (HCW) and patients in the University Teaching Hospital Yaounde. Study design: We carried out a hospital-based cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Bacteriology unit, Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital, from March 2024 to April 2024. Methodology: Using a sterile swab moistened in sterile normal saline, 134 individuals (67 healthcare workers and 67 patients) phones were swabs and inoculated on the brain heart infusion agar and mannitol salt agar plates. S. aureus and detection of MRSA were identified with standard methods. Results: Thirty (13) Staphylococcus aureus were identified and 11 of them were MRSA giving a prevalence of 8.2% (11/134). MRSA phone contamination was higher among HCW (10.4%) and patients (6.0%). This resistant bacterial was greatly isolated in the ICU (33.3%) and among participants with longer hospital in stay. Alcohol was the preferred disinfectant, with HCW having more Knowledge on mobile phone contamination risk than patients. Conclusion: There is a significant MRSA mobile phone contamination in our hospital settings. Study showed that there is no cleaning guidelines for the mobile phones of health care workers and education of patients on mobile phone risk. Hence the need for targeted interventions, including hygiene education, strict infection control and phone disinfection in our hospitals.