EVALUATION OF THE ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECTIVENESS OF SOME HAND WASH AND HAND SANITIZERS AGAINST BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM STUDENTS HANDS

ABSTRACT The antibacterial effectiveness of hand wash and hand sanitizer was assessed in this study. A total of 3 brands of hand washes (Brand A, B and C), and 3 brands of hand sanitizer (Brand C, D and E) were used. Samples of hand washed were collected from 36 students of Isa Mustapha Agwai 1 Polytechnic Lafia. hands of participants (students), Two samples were taken from each participant: an initial sample of hand bacteria was acquired before antiseptic treatment via sterile swab, and a second sample was acquired after antiseptic treatment. The samples were analyzed using culture and some biochemical tests according to standard procedure. The result of the study reveals that the mean reduction of hand wash ranges from 0.6 to 1.08 logcfu/hand and that of hand sanitizer ranges from 0.4 to 1.04 logcfu/hand. The greatest bacterial reduction appeared after the use of Brand C having 0.75 logcfu/hand reduction and the less reduction appeared after the use of Brand F having 0.32logcfu/hand reduction. Four microorganisms implicated from students and was selected and tested against each hand sanitizer. Escherichia coli, staphylococcus aureus, salmonella typhi, Bacillus sp,36 volunteers was recruited to a hand print before and after applying the sanitizers . the findings raise a concern about the effectiveness of hand sanitizer and their role in infection, prevention and control if not well regulated. Key word: Antibacterial, hand wash, hand sanitizer, Effectiveness, microorganisms, precautionary measures, hand hygiene