BACTERIAL INFECTION PATTERN AND ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY PROFILE OF ISOLATES FROM UNDER-5 CHILDREN IN GOVERNMENT APPROVED CRÈCHES AND NURSERY SCHOOLS IN ONITSHA NORTH LGA, NIGERIA

Funso-Aina Oluwatobiloba Ibukunoluwa*, Azudialu Bede Chinedu, Adogu Prosper Obunikem

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The objective of the study was to identify the bacteria causing infections in under-5 children in government approved crèches and nursery schools in Onitsha North LGA, Nigeria. Research Methods and Procedure: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed while multistage and systematic sampling techniques were used. The study population was under-5 children. Four hundred and thirty-two (432) swab stick samples consisting of 288 from the palms of the children and 144 from the floors of their crèches were collected, collated and analyzed. Results and Conclusions: Findings from the study revealed that the following pathogenic bacteria were responsible for sick conditions amongst under-5 children in Onitsha North LGA. They were; Bacillus lichenformis, Bacillus megaterium, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas cepacia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Gentamicin, Ofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin antibiotics were effectively bactericidal showing the widest zones of inhibition against the bacteria isolates. Recommendation: It is expedient for every Crèche to implement in full the provisions and goals of the National School Health Policy (NSHP) which are; to enhance the quality of health in the school community, create an enabling environment for inter-sectoral partnership in the promotion of child friendly school environment, for teaching and learning and health development.

Keywords: Bacterial infection pattern; Antimicrobial susceptibility profile; Crèches; Onitsha.