Prevalence of Pathogenic Bacteria on Selected Automated Teller Machines [ATMs] within Kofar-Kaura, Katsina Metropolis, Katsina State-Nigeria

Abstract

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are widely used for financial transactions, but they can also serve as reservoirs for microbial contamination due to frequent human contact. Studies have shown that ATM keypads and screens harbor various pathogenic bacteria, which may pose a public health risk, particularly in densely populated areas like Katsina. The aim of the study was to isolate and characterize pathogenic bacteria associated with automated teller machine [ATMs]  in kofar kaura, katsina state, Nigeria it was carried out in Katsina metropolis between September to October,2021.some selected automated teller machines in katsina metropolis were assessed for pathogenic bacteria contamination. The results of the colony count of the sample showed that atm of fidelity bank had the highest bacteria count of 9.5×10⁴ cfu/ml while that of UBA had the least count of 1.0×10⁴ cfu/ml. The species identified were Eschericheria coli,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphyloccus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia, Neisseria gonorrhea, Enterobacter aerogens were isolated using standard methods. Staphylococus aureus had the largest percentage of isolate with 15 followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae with 5, Neisseria gonorrhea with 3 and Enterobacter had 3, respectively, while E.coli and Pseudomonas aeroginosa had the smallest percentage of isolate with 2.The correlation coefficient[r] of 0.60 obtained showed that there is a strong relationship between the isolated pathogenic bacteria and the automated teller machines.