Bacterial Contamination on Latrine Surfaces in Community and Household Latrines in Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

A lack of sanitation infrastructure is a major contributor to the global burden of diarrheal disease, particularly in low-income countries. Access to basic sanitation was identified as part of the 2015 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. However, current definitions of “basic” sanitation infrastructure exclude community or shared sanitation, due to concerns around safety, equity, and cleanliness. The purpose of this study was to measure and compare bacterial contamination on community and household latrine surfaces in Kathmandu, Nepal. One hundred and nineteen swab samples were collected from two community and five household latrines sites. Community latrine samples were taken before and after daily cleaning, while household samples were collected at midday, to reflect normal conditions. Concentrations of total coliforms and Escherichia coli were measured using membrane filtration methods. Results found almost no differences between bacterial contamination on latrine surfaces in community and household latrines, with the exception of latrine slabs/seats that were more contaminated in the community latrines under dirty conditions. The study also identified surfaces with higher levels of contamination. Findings demonstrated that well-maintained community latrines may be as clean, or cleaner, than household latrines and support the use of community latrines for improving access to sanitation infrastructure in a low-income country setting.

Microbial Diversity and Antibiotic Resistance of Bacteria on Washroom Fomites in a Public University

“…European Journal of Health Sciences ISSN 2520-4645 (online) Vol.5, Issue1, pp 1- 11,2020 www.ajpojournals.org 4…”

“…Test for Gram positive bacteria included penicillin (1.5µg), ampicillin (10µg), cloxacillin (5µg), erythromycin (5µg), tetracycline (30µg), vancomycin (30µg), cotrimoxazole (25µg), cefuroxime (10µg), gentamicin (10µg), ciprofloxacin (5µg), augmentin (30µg) and meropenem (10µg). Test for Gram European Journal of Health Sciences ISSN 2520-4645 (online) Vol.5, Issue1, pp 1- 11,2020 www.ajpojournals.org 5 negative bacteria included ampicillin (10µg), tetracycline (10µg), cotrimoxazole (10µg), gentamicin (10µg), cefuroxime (30µg), vancomycin (30µg), chloramphenicol (10µg), ceftriaxone (30µg), cefotaxime (30µg), ciprofloxacin (5µg), amikacin (30µg) and meropenem (10µg). Controls were set using Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213.…”

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 on contact surfaces within shared sanitation facilities and assessment of the potential risks for COVID-19 infections

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Food safety policies and practices in public spaces: The urban water, sanitation, and hygiene environment for fresh fish sold from individual vendors in Mzuzu, Malawi

“…Based on our study results, at least for the two markets with working sanitation facilities, the sanitation facilities were probably sufficient for users, whereas at the two other markets, this infrastructure should be immediately prioritized. McGinnis, Marini, Amatya, and Murphy () noted that well‐maintained privately owned, pay‐per‐use community sanitation facilities in Nepal were as clean or cleaner than household sanitation facilities. Based on the swab sample results for bacterial concentrations in that study, in community sanitation facilities, the seat/floor, tap/handle/bucket used for anal cleansing, and door handles were the surfaces to focus on when cleaning.…”