ABSTRACT

Bacterial contamination of the labour and delivery room is of clinical concern because it is one of the major risk factors of sepsis in neonates and most life threatening nosocomial infections for mothers after undergoing childbirth procedures.  Three hundred (300) consecutive samples were collected from fomites and anterior nares of the health care workers from six (6) different Primary Health Centres (PHCs). These were screened for the presence of bacterial pathogens. Preliminary identification of bacteria isolates were performed based on gram stain reactions, colony characteristics of the organisms like hemolysis on blood agar, changes in physical appearance in differential media and enzyme activities of the organisms. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done by using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. The isolates of clinical importance observed were Staphylococcus aureus (35.1%), Bacillus spp.(15.5%)  Streptococcus spp. (14.8%), E. coli (10.1%), Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus (CONS) spp. (8.1%), Proteus spp. (7.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.4%), ,Klebsiella spp.(1.3%).  Eight (8) antibiotics used against S.aureus which was the most prevalent isolate showed below 50% sensitivity and almost the same with E.coli. High level resistance to commonly prescribed and administered antibiotics such as amoxicillin clavulanate, penicillin, amoxicillin, ampicllin, cefalexin and cotrimoxazole was observed. The percentage of Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase (ESBL) among E coli isolates was 64.2%, and  the least was  Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14.2%). Percentages of biofilm forming organisms are S aureus(39.3%), and the least was klebsiella spp(1.0%).The plasmid profile of 15 resistant isolates was studied and the study revealed that 3 isolates had plasmids. The types of bacteria most frequently isolated were consistent with the isolates which could cause nosocomial infections.  Constant disinfection of surfaces and items under a strict infection control policy will check the transmission of infectious agents from these fomites.