Abstract

BACTERIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF NAIRA NOTES HANDLED BY STUDENTS DURING COVID -19 PANDEMIC IN DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY, ABRAKA

Jemikalajah D. Johnson, Anie O. Clement*, Enwa F. Oghenemaro and Agholor J. Chuka

.

Abstract

This study investigated the bacteriological evaluation of Nigerian currency notes handled by students in Delta State University, Abraka. One hundred (100) swab samples were obtained from naira notes surfaces owned by students. Bacteria isolation and identification was carried out using standard microbiological techniques. The bacteria isolates were; Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus sp, Bacillus sp, Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp, Klebsiella sp, Pseudomonas sp and Citrobacter sp. Out of the 100 samples examined, the naira notes handled by males had the higher prevalence than the females. Among the isolates from males, Staphylococcus aureus (19%) was the most prevalent bacterial isolate while Citrobacter sp (2%) was the least. For females, Staphylococcus aureus (15%) was the most prevalent isolate while Klebsiella sp (2%) was the least prevalent. The habit of improper hygiene and poor handling of naira notes is responsible for the high level of bacteria isolated in this study.

Keywords: Bacteriological evaluation, students, naira notes, Abraka.