Bacteriological Contamination of Car Door Handle in Ellen Gaf School of Health and Technology, Ajide Ekeh, Benue State.

Abstract

This study investigated the bacteriological contamination of car door handles and steering wheels within the Ellen Gaf School of Health and Technology, Ajide Ekeh, Benue State, Nigeria. A total of 60 swab samples were collected from vehicles at two high-traffic locations: the Market Bus Stop and the School Gate Bus Stop. Samples were processed using standard microbiological techniques, including culture on selective media and biochemical identification. The results revealed that 60% of the samples were contaminated with bacteria. The most frequently isolated organism was Staphylococcus aureus (72.2%), followed by Escherichia coli (19.4%) and Salmonella spp. (8.3%). The equal contamination rate observed at both sampling sites indicates a consistent risk of microbial transmission through shared vehicle surfaces. The detection of both skin and fecal bacteria highlights inadequate hand hygiene and a lack of surface sanitation practices. These findings emphasize the role of vehicle interiors as potential fomites and underscore the need for routine disinfection, enhanced hygiene awareness, and public health interventions to reduce the risk of infection transmission in academic and public environments