BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION OF AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE (ATM) AMONG VARIOUS BANKS IN UMUAHIA METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

Several studies of the human environment have demonstrated colonization and contamination of objects such as door handles, faucets, phones, money, fabrics, and plastics. This study therefore was to evaluate the bacterial diversity and degree of contamination obtainable on the ATM buttons as money is being collected. The study area was conducted in various Banks in Umuahia metropolis. A total number of sixty-eight (68) samples were collected from 14 different banks in Umuahia metropolis and 9 different organisms were isolated which include- E.coli(26.47%), S.aureus(17.64%), Bacillus spp(4.90%), Klebsiella spp(6.86%), Proteus spp(8.82%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa(9.80%), Streptococcus spp(13.72%), Salmonella spp(4.90%) and Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus(6.86%). The result of the study reveals that high levels of bacterial contamination were detected on ATM hardware user interface. Recommendation includes the use of hand sanitizers, increased sanitary measures and strict adherence to washing hands regularly.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page ﾿ i

Certification ﾿ ii

Dedication ﾿ iii

Acknowledgement ﾿ iv

Table of Contents ﾿ v

List of Tables ﾿ vii

List of Figures ﾿ viii 

Abstract ﾿ ix

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 ﾿ Introduction ﾿ 1

1.1 ﾿ Background Studies ﾿ 3

1.2 ﾿ Aim ﾿ 3

1.3 ﾿ Objectives ﾿ 4

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 ﾿ Literature Review ﾿ 4

2.1 ﾿ Bacteria Contaminants Associated With Automated Teller Machine (ATM) ﾿ 8

2.1.1 ﾿ Escherichia coli ﾿ 9

2.1.2 ﾿ Proteus spp ﾿ 10

2.1.3 ﾿ Klebsiella spp ﾿ 10

2.1.4 ﾿ Staphylococcus aureus ﾿ 11

2.1.5 ﾿ Streptococcus spp ﾿ 11

2.1.6 ﾿ Pseudomonas aeruginosa ﾿ 12

2.1.7 ﾿ Bacillus spp ﾿ 12

2.2 ﾿ The Effectiveness of Hand Hygiene in Reducing the Risk of Infection ﾿ 13

CHAPTER THREE

3.0 ﾿ Materials and Methods ﾿ 15

3.1 ﾿ Study Area ﾿ 15

3.2 ﾿ Collection of Samples ﾿ 15

3.3 ﾿ Preparation of Culture Media ﾿ 15

3.4 ﾿ Bacterial Inoculation and Isolation ﾿ 16

3.5 ﾿ Antibiotics Susceptibility Testing ﾿ 16

3.6 ﾿ Characterization and Idenfication Organism ﾿ 16

3.7 ﾿ Gram Staining ﾿ 16

3.8 ﾿ Biochemical Tests ﾿ 17

3.8.1 ﾿ Catalase Test ﾿ 17

3.8.2 ﾿ Coagulase Test ﾿ 17

3.8.3 ﾿ Citrate Utilization Test ﾿ 17

3.8.4 ﾿ Motility, Indole Urease (MIU) Test ﾿ 18

3.8.5 ﾿ Triple Sugar Iron (TSI) Test ﾿ 18

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0 ﾿ Results ﾿ 20

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 ﾿ Discussion ﾿         ﾿ 31

5.1 ﾿ Conclusion ﾿ 33

5.2 ﾿ Recommendation ﾿ 34

REFERENCES

APPENDIX