Research Article

Wash Practices in Schools, Cameroon

Mercy A. Manjong-Kofete
Catholic University of Cameroon, Cameroon
* Corresponding author
Kenneth A. Yongabi
Phytobiotechnology Centre, Cameroon
Wilfred F. Mbacham
University of Yaounde I, Cameroon
DOI icon 10.24018/ejmed.2021.3.1.625

Read Counter
1046

Downloads
775

Citations

Share

Article Sidebar

Submitted 2020-12-21
Published 2021-01-13

Read counter = 1046 times

Table of Contents

Article Main Content

This study investigated the influence of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) management on the bacteriological quality of students’ palms in some schools within the Bamenda municipality, to serve as baseline data for strengthening of hygiene management and health policies in schools. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional approach with data generated through questionnaires, swabbing of the palms of selected students and doorknobs, as well as culturing of the swabs for microbial identification. SPSS version 16.0 was used for data analysis and Chi-square test to determine significant differences in the level of bacteria on the palms of participants by gender. None of the schools met WHO standards, and the gap between toilet usage and hand washing after defecation was very significant (p < 0.0001). Bacteria isolated included: Staphylococcus spp (63%), Escherichia coli (31%), Enterobacter sp (10%), Bacillus sp (10%), and Coliforms (5%). Two Fungi species: Yeast (10%) and Moulds (3%) were also isolated. The content of the curriculum, teaching and assessment mechanism for the WaSH programme management in schools was found to be in need of greater attention, schools and local governments focus on it being below expectation.

Keywords: Gaps, Hygiene, Management, Sanitation practices, School

References

  1. REFERENCES
     Google Scholar
  2. Kolawole, O. M., Ajayi, K. T., Olayemi, A. B. & Okoh, A. I. 2011. Assessment of water quality in Asa River (Nigeria) and its indigenous Clarias gariepinus fish. International journal of environmental research and public health, 8, 4332-4352.
    DOI  |   Google Scholar
  3. Assob, J., Nde, P., Nsagha, D., NJimoh, D., Nfor, O., Njunda, A. & kamga, H. 2013. The incidence of feco-oral parasites in street-food vendors in Buea, south-west region Cameroon. African health sciences, 12, 376-380.
    DOI  |   Google Scholar
  4. Akoachere, J.-FKT., Omam, L.-A. & Massalla, T. N. 2013. Assessment of the relationship between bacteriological quality of dug-wells, hygiene behaviour and well characteristics in two cholera endemic localities in Douala, Cameroon. BMC public health, 13, 692.
    DOI  |   Google Scholar
  5. Awah, T. M., Alice, M. & Beyala, K. K. V. 2013. Microbial pollution of the Mezam river system and its health impact in Bamenda (North-West Cameroon). African Journal of Microbiology Research, 7, 4940-4948.
    DOI  |   Google Scholar
  6. Achankeng, E. 2004 Sustainability in municipal solid waste management in Bamenda and Yaounde, Cameroon. PhD thesis, The University of Adelaide, Australia.
     Google Scholar
  7. Allegranzi, B. & Pittet, D. 2009. Role of hand hygiene in healthcare-associated infection prevention. Journal of Hospital Infection, 73, 305-315.
    DOI  |   Google Scholar
  8. DSCN 2010. World population trends and policies monitoring reports. Annuaire Statistique (Statitical year book). Urban/Rural residence. Bureau of the census international demographic data center., pp 118.
     Google Scholar
  9. Polit, D. F. & Beck, C. T. 2013. Essentials of nursing research: Appraising evidence for nursing practice, Wolters Kluwer Health.
     Google Scholar
  10. Bergey, D. H., Buchanan, R.E., & Gibbons, N.E 1974.Bergey’s manual of determinative bacteriology. Baltimore, Williams & Wilkins.
     Google Scholar
  11. Adams, J., Bartram, J., Chartier, Y. & Sims, J. 2009. Water, sanitation and hygiene standards for schools in low-cost settings, Report World Health Organization Geneva, Switzerland.
     Google Scholar
  12. Upadhyay, V., Mathai, J. & Reed, P. W. 2008 Primary school children: access to toilets. Acta Paediatrica 97, 1546–1549.
    DOI  |   Google Scholar
  13. Githaka, P.W., Gachahi, M.W., Mwaruvie, J 2019.Access to safe Drinking water and Sanitary Facilities and Pupil Participation in Education in Public Primary Schools in Kenya:A case of Gichugu Constituency, Kirinyaga County. African Journal of Education, Science and technology,5(2)237-245.
     Google Scholar
  14. Jano, H. A. 2011. Effectiveness of School Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene Program: In the case of Assossa Woreda Primary Schools, BGRS, Ethiopia. MSc thesis, University of Addis Ababa.
     Google Scholar
  15. Muinde, O. & Kuria, E. 2005. Hygienic and sanitary practices of vendors of street foods in Nairobi, Kenya. African Journal Of Food Agriculture Nutrition And Development, 7, 1-15.
    DOI  |   Google Scholar
  16. Oranusi, U. S. & Braide, W. 2012. A study of microbial safety of ready-to-eat foods vended on highways: Onitsha-Owerri, south east Nigeria. Int Res J Microbiol., 3, 066-071.
     Google Scholar
  17. Ajayi, A. A., Aiyedun, B. T. & Olasehinde, G. I. 2013. The Effect of Hand Treatments on Staphylococcus Aureus: A Normal Flora of the Human Palms. Advances in Bioscience and Bioengineering, 1, pp 1-10.
     Google Scholar
  18. Burton, M., Cobb, E., Donachie, P., Judah, G., Curtis, V. & Schmidt, W.-P. 2011. The effect of handwashing with water or soap on bacterial contamination of hands. International journal of environmental research and public health, 8, 97-104.
    DOI  |   Google Scholar
  19. Prasai, T., Yami, K. D. & Joshi, D. R. 2008. Microbial load on paper/polymer currency and coins. Nepal Journal of Science and Technology, 9, 105-109.
    DOI  |   Google Scholar
  20. Akoachere J-FKT, Suylika Y, Njom HA, Nkie SE.2012. Etiologic profile and antibacterial susceptibility of community acquired urinary tract infection in two Cameroonian towns. BMC Res Note, 5:219.
    DOI  |   Google Scholar
  21. Cajetan, I. C. I., Isu Rosemary Nnennaya, Casmir, A. A. & Florence, I. N. 2010. Enteric Bacteria Pathogens Associated With Diarrhoea of Children in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, Nigeria. New York Science Journal, 3, 1-8.
     Google Scholar
  22. Oniya, M., Obajuluwa, S., Alade, E. & Oyewole, O. 2006. Evaluation of microorganisms transmissible through handshake. African Journal of Biotechnology, 5, 1-4.
     Google Scholar
  23. Shelton, D. R., Karns, J. S., Higgins, J. A., Van Kessel, J. A. S., Perdue, M. L., Belt, K. T., RusselL‐Anelli, J. & Debroy, C. 2006. Impact of microbial diversity on rapid detection of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli in surface waters. FEMS microbiology letters, 261, 95-101.
    DOI  |   Google Scholar
  24. Yongabi, K., Mbacham, W., Nubia, K. & Singh, R. 2009. Yeast strains isolated from HIV-seropositive patients in Cameroon and their sensitivity to extracts of eight medicinal plants. African Journal of Microbiology Research, 3, 133-136.
     Google Scholar