Assessing the Risk of Antimicrobial Resistance Through Bacterial Contamination in Caregiving Environments at Jimma University Specialized Hospital

Abstract

Background: Patient caregivers are highly likely to be contaminated with antimicrobial‐resistant microorganisms in the hospital wards. Many of these microorganisms can cause food‐borne infections, affecting admitted patients. Food quality, safety, and contributing factors in Ethiopian health institutions where food is served to in‐patients are poorly understood. Nevertheless, contamination and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) levels could vary from place to place. Infections by these antimicrobial‐resistant pathogens cause prolonged hospital stays, high rates of mortality, and affect individual and country economies in greater amounts.Objective: Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacteria isolated from family caregivers and food serving utensils in Jimma University specialized hospital.Methods: This study used a cross‐sectional study design to determine the bacteriological contamination of family caregivers (caregivers) and food serving utensils (utensils) and their antimicrobial susceptibility from February to April 2020 at in‐patient pediatric wards of Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC). The study took swab samples from 60 of the caregivers’ hands and utensils who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The laboratory study was supported by survey data taken through questionnaires and managed using EPi data software version 3.1 and SPSS version 21. The data was analyzed using descriptive analysis and presented according to frequency distribution.Results: The findings show that 33.3% and 23.3% of caregivers were contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), respectively. Similarly, the study identified E. coli (30%), Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumoniae; 26.6%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa; 23.3%) from the utensils. Antibacterial sensitivity test results showed that over 75% of the identified E.coli from caregivers’ and utensils were resistant to ampicillin, ceftriaxone, cefixime, co‐trimoxazole, and cefotaxime. Similarly, over 65% of the identified S. aureus from the caregivers and utensils were resistant to erythromycin, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, and penicillin. All Salmonella group A identified from utensils were also resistant to Augmentin and cefotaxime.Conclusion: As shown in the result, many isolated bacteria were resistant to the standard antibiotics commonly used to treat most diseases. Hence, admitted patients, particularly children, are at risk of infection with these antimicrobial‐resistant bacteria. Due attention must be given to hygienic practices of the hospital environment and individuals to reduce the risks of contamination and transmission.