Microbial Content of “Bowl Water” Used for Communal Handwashing in Preschools within Accra Metropolis, Ghana

Abstract

Objective. This study aimed at determining the microbial content of “bowl water” used for communal handwashing in preschools within the Accra Metropolis. Method. Six (6) preschools in the Accra Metropolis were involved in the study. Water samples and swabs from the hands of the preschool children were collected. The samples were analysed and tested for bacteria, fungi, parasites, and rotavirus. Results. Eight different bacteria, two different parasites, and a fungus were isolated while no rotavirus was detected. Unlike the rest of the microbes, bacterial isolates were found among samples from all the schools, with Staphylococcus species being the most prevalent (40.9%). Out of the three schools that had parasites in their water, two of them had Cryptosporidium parvum. The fungus isolated from two out of the six schools was Aspergillus niger. All bacteria isolated were found to be resistant to cotrimoxazole, ciprofloxacin, and ampicillin and susceptible to amikacin and levofloxacin. Conclusion. Although handwashing has the ability to get rid of microbes, communal handwashing practices using water in bowls could be considered a possible transmission route and may be of public concern.

Evaluation of Key Antimicrobial Properties of Moringa oleifera in Relation to Its Use as a Hand-Washing Product

“…Recent studies in Accra have isolated K. oxytoca from Cyperus esculentus L. (tiger nuts) which were claimed to have been washed and which were being sold at local markets [57]. K. oxytoca has also been isolated from water used for hand-washing in preschools in the Accra, leading researchers to believe that the bacterium may be present in local water sources [29]. Moreover, studies in West Africa and Ghana have found faecal contamination of produce to be quite common [58], suggesting that the contamination observed in the present study should not be regarded as surprising.…”

“…However, for a soap to simply remove bacteria from hands is not enough. In humanitarian and resource-limited settings where water is routinely scarce, water used for hand-washing is often reused [29][30][31][32][33][34][35]. Accordingly, understanding what happens to bacteria that have been removed from hands is of extreme importance.…”

“…Accordingly, understanding what happens to bacteria that have been removed from hands is of extreme importance. In situations where hands are washed communally in basins or receptacles, something which is common in Ghana and other developing countries [31,[33][34][35][36], the risk of infection from using communal water, can itself pose a risk due to an accumulation of pathogenic organisms [29,31,32,35]. In fact, some studies have estimated that 80% of schools in Ghana make use of basins for hand-washing [29].…”

“…In situations where hands are washed communally in basins or receptacles, something which is common in Ghana and other developing countries [31,[33][34][35][36], the risk of infection from using communal water, can itself pose a risk due to an accumulation of pathogenic organisms [29,31,32,35]. In fact, some studies have estimated that 80% of schools in Ghana make use of basins for hand-washing [29]. A study conducted at eight different primary schools in Ghana found that only one school had an adequate hand-washing facility with clean running water while the other schools had children make use of communal hand-washing facilities consisting of a receptacle filled with soapy solution, this being mirrored in the homes of the children participating in the study [36].…”

“…A study conducted at eight different primary schools in Ghana found that only one school had an adequate hand-washing facility with clean running water while the other schools had children make use of communal hand-washing facilities consisting of a receptacle filled with soapy solution, this being mirrored in the homes of the children participating in the study [36]. Further, in such settings, soap is often locked away to prevent misuse and thus children simply wash their hands with the reused basin water alone [29]. Moreover, the water is often only replaced once it appears visibly dirty [37], which may take several days.…”