Abstract: To identify bacteria present on mobile phones, and determine the effects of phone user practices on infection transmission and prevention.
Research questions:
1. What are some categories of microbes that are present on cellular phones?
2. Where do persons use their mobile phones?
3. With what agents do participants routinely clean mobile phones?
4. How frequently do participants clean their mobile phones?
5. Does user knowledge and sensitivity to infection control practices make a difference in the occurrence of microbes on mobile phones?
Method: Mobile phones of 60 students and faculty from varying departments of a university in Jamaica were swabbed and cultured on MacConkey, blood and nutrient agar media. The Habits of mobile phone usage questionnaire was administered to each participant on the same day on which phones were swabbed.
Results: Microbes recovered included GPC (S. pyogenes and S. epidermidis), GNB (K. pneumoniae), GNC, and fungi. Participants reported unhealthy mobile usage habits ranging from using them in the bathroom to sleeping with them under their pillows. Differences in phone usage practices between participants with high infection prevention and control knowledge levels and others was not clear cut.
Conclusion: Mobile phones harbor pathogens, but can be routinely cleaned to reduce and control risk of infection to users.
Keywords: Mobile phones, pathogens, bacteria, grow infections, prevention and control.
Title: Mobile Phones: Breeding Ground for Microbes
Author: Kerene Walker, Kiesha Williams, Marsha Pryce, Melonie Johnson
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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