ABSTRACT

The microbial indoor quality of five Day-care centers in Umuahia was accessed. The five centers were chosen to cover the different parks of Umuahia, they include We care International School Day – care center in Ehimiri housing estate, St. Patricks School Day – care center in Agbama housing estate, Omini Grace center in World Bank estate, Blessed Day – care center in federal law court housing estate and Divine Vessel of Grace Day – care center in Umudike. Assessment was based on microbial load flora occurrences and changes between morning periods and evening periods (departure time/end of classes). Results obtained shows that the bacterial properties ranged from 114cfu/unit time to 170cfu/units time for morning hours and 177cfu/unit time to 266cfu/unit time, the fungal court was recorded at the range of 3.3cfu/unit time for evening. The bacterial genera include staphylococcus and E.coli, while the fungal genera include Aspergillus, Penicillum and Yeasts. The occurrence of different bacteria and fungi species varied between the schools and between morning and evening periods. Decline was recorded in occurrence of some microbes between morning periods and this was attributed to high level of personal and environmental hygiene in the centers/schools. The maintenance of such high level of hygiene in Day – care centers is therefore recommended.

TABLE OF CONTENTS       PAGES

Title page- - - - - - - - - - - i

Declaration - - - - - - - - - - - ii

Certification- - - - - - - - - - - iii

Dedication- - - - - - - - - - - iv

Acknowledgement- - - - - - - - - - v

Table of contents

List of tables

List of figurs

 CHAPTER ONE

1.0 Introductio 1

1.1 aims and objectives- - - - - - - - - 4

CHAPTER TWO

2.0   Literature of Review- - - - - - - - - 5

2.1   Atmosphere- - - - - - - - - - 5

2.2   Physical Environment Stresses- - - - - - - - 5

2.3   Bacteria- - - - - - - - - - - 6

2.4    Fungal- - - - - - - - - - - 6

2.5   Viral- - - - - - - - - - - 6

2.6   Indoor Air Quality- - - - - - - - - 8

CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1   Study Area- - - - - - - - - - 10

3.2    Collection of Samples- - - - - - - - - 10

3.3   Media Used- - - - - - - - - - 10

3.4 Sterilization- - - - - - - - - - 11

3.5 Biochemical Identification for Bacterial Isolates- - - - - 11

3.5.1 Identification of Fungal Isolates- - - - - - - 11

3.6   Gram Staining- - - - - - - - - - 11

3.7 Biochemical Tests- - - - - - - - - 12

3.7.1 Catalase Test- - - - - - - - - - 12

3.7.2 Coagulase Test- - - - - - - - - - 12

3.7.3 Oxidase Test- - - - - - - - - - 13

3.7.4 Citrate Test- - - - - - - - - - 13

3.7.5 Indole Test- - - - - - - - - - 13

CHAPTER FOUR

4.0   Results

CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 Discussion

5.1Conclusion

5.2 Recommendation

5.2.1 Solutions to Poor Indoor Quality in Day Care Centers

References

Appendix