Bacteriological Assessment of the Indoor Air of a Private University in Nigeria

Abstract

The bacteriological assessment of indoor air of the male hostel at Rhema University Nigeria was undertaken in this study. Bacteriological analyses of Air samples from male hostels was carried out weekly for 4 weeks using standard microbiological methods in June, 2021 to determine their bacteriological content. Data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in tables. The result showed that the concentration of bacteria isolates increased as the duration of exposure of the media increased. The highest bacteria concentration was seen at room 205 at 40 minutes (29.8 x 102CFU/M3) and the least at room 204 at 20 minutes (0.9 x 101 CFU/M3). The concentration of bacteria at other rooms were room 305 at 40 minutes (17.7 x 102 CFU/M3), room 304 at 20 minutes had 1.3 x 101 CFU/M3, room 405 at 40 minutes had 17.8 x 102 CFU/M3, room 404 at 20 minutes had 3.6 x 101 CFU/M3, room 504 at 40 minutes had 17.6 x 102 CFU/M3 and room 503 at 20 minutes had 11.9 x 102 CFU/M3. A total of eleven (11) different bacteria species were isolated and identified as Staphylococcus aureus (100%), Escherichia coli (75%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (75%), Klebsiella spp (75%), Bacillus subtilis (75%), Streptococcus pyogenes (50%), Bacillus megaterium (50%), Bacillus cereus (50%) and Serratia marcescens (25%). Staphylococcus aureus is the most occurring bacteria specie (100%) while Serratia marcescens is the least occurring bacteria specie (25%). Potential pathogenicity testing of isolates revealed Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Streptococcus pyogenes as potential pathogenic species found in the hostel rooms. Bearing in mind that some of the bacteria species isolated showed potential pathogenic abilities, it means that the air quality of the male hostel rooms may have health implications. There is therefore need for periodic air quality evaluation in the male hostel to discover and manage those environmental variables which favours the multiplication of bacteria. Students are advised to implement good sanitation and hygiene practices to improve indoor air quality in the hostels and prevent possible infection or disease.