High Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance of MRSA and Acinetobacter spp. among Healthcare Personnel and Neonatal Units: Implications for Infection Control and Hygiene Protocols

Objective: To assess the efficacy of current hygiene practices at the tertiary center through comprehensive microbiological surveillance, and to provide targeted recommendations for enhancing hospital hygiene to mitigate infection risks.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study employing microbiological surveillance to evaluate microbial contamination across various hospital settings in a tertiary healthcare facility in Lagos, Nigeria, focusing on high-risk areas such as personnel body parts, operating theaters, specialized care units, and staff areas. The study involved collecting microbial samples from the hospital environment, including surfaces in operating theaters, neonatal units, and healthcare personnel.

Microbial samples were collected from 38 different locations and personnel within the hospital. Culturing was conducted on appropriate media. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested using the disc diffusion method. Statistical analyses included ANOVA and logistic regression to determine the prevalence and distribution of microbial contaminants and to assess the effectiveness of current hygiene practices.

Results: The surveillance detected microbial growth in 33.33% of samples, with significant pathogens like MRSA and Acinetobacter species present. ANOVA showed significant differences in microbial contamination among different hospital locations (F(3,32) = 4.267, p = 0.0121). Logistic regression analysis didn’t find statistically significant predictors for microbial presence but highlighted higher odds of contamination in personnel areas (OR = 2.78, p = 0.406).

Conclusion: The study highlights the need for continuous microbiological surveillance to identify and mitigate infection risks in hospital settings. Despite effective sterilization practices in some areas, the presence of pathogens like MRSA indicates the necessity for enhanced hygiene protocols, particularly in personnel areas.