Room sterilization using ultra violet lamps in reducing the air germs number of tuberculosis patients’ house

Abstract

Mycobacterium Tuberculosis can survive in the air, with its ability depending on environmental factors such as Ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light can be generated from sunlight or UV-C lamps, which are utilized for air germ sterilization. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of room sterilization using a UV lamp in reducing airborne germ counts. This experimental research took place from March to September 2023 and employed a one-group pretest-posttest design. The research was carried out in 21 houses of tuberculosis patients in Kupang City. The intervention involved the use of 16-watt and 20-watt UV lamps in two rooms of each house. The variable measured was the airborne germ count, assessed by examining the Most Probable Number (MPN) coliforms, both before and after sterilization (UV light irradiation), calculated through laboratory examination. The collected germ count data were then statistically analyzed using the paired t-test. Room sterilization using a 16W UV lamp effectively reduced the number of room germs (p-value 0.046 < 0.05). Similarly, room sterilization with a 20W lamp significantly reduced the number of room germs in the households of tuberculosis patients (p 0.004 < 0.005). Ultraviolet lamps can be employed for sterilizing rooms in the homes of tuberculosis patients, particularly in cases where sunlight cannot penetrate the house. These lamps can eliminate airborne germs, thereby reducing their count and the risk of disease transmission within the household.