ASESSMENT OF THE INDOOR AIR QUALITY IN THE WAITING ROOM AND PATIENT WARDS OF SELECTED HOSPITAL AROUND AKUNGBA

This study assessed the microbiological quality of indoor air in waiting rooms and patient wards of selected hospitals in Akungba-Akoko, Air samples were obtained using settle plate exposure method, Identification was carried out using standard morphological and biochemical tests and antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using disk diffusion method. Results revealed significant contamination, with Aduloju Memorial Hospital recording the highest bacterial counts of 8.9 × 10¹ CFU/m³ in wards and 9.2 × 10¹ CFU/m³ in corridors on MacConkey agar, while the Primary Health Centre recorded 4.5 × 10² CFU/m³ in wards and 4.2 × 10¹ CFU/m³ in corridors. Fungal loads were also pronounced, with Aduloju Memorial Hospital yielding 1.6 × 10⁰ CFU/m³ in wards and 5.2 × 10¹ CFU/m³ in corridors, compared to 2.4 × 10⁰ CFU/m³ and 1.8 × 10⁰ CFU/m³, respectively, at the Primary Health Centre. Gram positive bacteria identified included Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Bacillus cereus, and Micrococcus luteus, while Gram-negative isolates comprised Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Citrobacter freundii, and Aeromonas hydrophila. Fungal species included Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Emericella nidulans, Candida tropicalis, Eurotium rubium, and Chrysonilia sitophila. Antimicrobial susceptibility results indicated that Gram positive isolates were generally susceptible to rifampicin, amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, levofloxacin, and gentamicin, with inhibition zones ranging from 17–23 mm, including 19 mm for amoxicillin against S. aureus, while resistance was observed to azithromycin and ceftazidime with inhibition zones of 0 mm in some isolates. Gram-negative bacteria showed broad sensitivity to quinolones and aminoglycosides, with inhibition zones between 16–23 mm, including 22 mm for ofloxacin and 20 mm for gentamicin against P. aeruginosa. Complete resistance (0 mm) was recorded for cefuroxime and trimethoprim. These findings demonstrate a considerable microbial burden in hospital indoor air environments, emphasizing their role as potential reservoirs for nosocomial infections and highlighting the need for routine indoor air monitoring. ix