Abstract
Good personal hygiene among adolescent girls is essential for the prevention of bacterial infection. The objective of this study was to assess the bacteriological qualities of water, hand and vaginal swab samples of female adolescents in Aba, South-Eastern Nigeria. Water, hand and vaginal swab samples were collected from one hundred and thirty-four female adolescents residing in Aba metropolis in South-Eastern Nigeria. Sterile swab sticks was used to collect hand and vaginal swabs while a sterile container was used to collect water samples and taken to the laboratory for analysis. Results showed that out of the 134 water samples collected, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 47 (35.07%) samples; Escherichia coli 20 (14.93%); Bacillus subtilis; 12 (8.96%); Streptococcus faecalis 34 (25.37%); Enterococcus faecalis 11 (8.21%); Micrococcus luteus; 9 (6.72%). There was a significant amount (P< 0.05) of bacterial load in the water samples. Results also showed that out of the 134 hand swab samples collected, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 92 (68.66%) samples; Escherichia coli 24 (17.91%); Bacillus subtilis 17 (12.69%); Streptococcus faecalis 64 (47.76%); Enterococcus faecalis 23 (17.16%); Micrococcus luteus 16 (11.94%). There was a significant amount (P< 0.05) of bacterial load on the hand swab samples. Results also showed that out of the 134 vaginal swab samples collected, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 115 (85.82%); Escherichia coli 122 (91.04%); Bacillus subtilis 43 (32.09%); Streptococcus faecalis 102 (76.12%); Enterococcus faecalis 32 (23.88%); Micrococcus luteus 25 (18.66%). There was also a significant amount (P< 0.05) of bacterial load on the vaginal swab samples. In conclusion, there was a significant amount of bacteria isolates obtained from the water, hand and vaginal samples among the adolescent girls. Health education and enlightenment programmes for adolescent girls were recommended. Keywords: Bacterium, Water, Hand, Vagina, Hygiene, Adolescent.
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