BACTERIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF INDOOR AIR OF ROOMS IN CALEB UNIVERSITY FEMALE HOSTEL

Indoor air quality refers to the air quality within and around buildings, particularly as it relates to the health and comfort of residents. Poor indoor air quality may lead to sick building syndrome which causes mucous membrane irritation, poor physical conditions, exhaustion, headache and a decline in memory and intellectual activity. This study was aimed at isolating, enumerating, identifying and determining the antibiotics sensitivity profile of bacteria isolated from indoor air of two Caleb University female hostels. Eighteen samples were collected from two female hostels in Caleb University Imota, Lagos. Standard microbiological procedures were employed in the process of the study. Bacteriological analysis of the samples were carried out and the bacteria isolated were identified using morphology characteristics and biochemical characteristics. Colony counts of hall A ranged
from 2.09xl0 2 to 1.57xl0 3 CFU/m3 and that of hall B ranged from 4.71xl0 2
to 1.1 xlO3 CFU/m3. The organisms isolated from the air samples included Staphylococcus spp., Bacillus sp., Klebsiella sp., Proteus sp., Corynebacterium sp. and Escherichia coli. The presence of these bacteria can be attributable to dust, leakage, occupants, building conditions, weather condition and ventilation systems. One hundred percent (100%) of isolates showed resistance to Augmentin, 97.1% were resistant to Ceftriaxone and 85.7% were resistant to Erythromycin. Ninety two percent (92%) of Staphylococcus spp. isolated were resistant to Oxacillin while
8% were susceptible which points to the Methicillin Resistant Staphylococci. The high prevalence of multi drug resistant bacterial in indoor air may lead to prolonged respiratory infections in occupants. Also, high cost of treatment could be a consequence of the presence of resistant bacteria strains isolated from indoor air. Proper ventilation, low population and good sanitation practices can help in reducing the risk of occupants getting infected by bacteria.