Research Article ISSN 2639-9458

Microbiology & Infectious Diseases

Microbial Ecology of Mobile Phones Staff Maternity Hospital Public

Lubumbashi, DR Congo
Kapopo Mwewa Christelle1, Mbutshu Lukuke Hendrick1*, Mundongo Tshamba Henri1,2 and Malonga
Kaj Françoise1,2

Unit of Epidemiology and Health Maternal, Newborn and

1 Correspondence:
*

Child, School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, BC. Hendrick Mbutshu Lukuke, School of public health, University of
Ndjamena, Common Lubumbashi Lubumbashi, DR Congo. Lubumbashi RD Congo, Tel: + 243 997 028 680.

2
Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, DR Congo. Received: 22 June 2019; Accepted: 21 July 2019

Citation: Kapopo Mwewa Christelle, Mbutshu Lukuke Hendrick, Mundongo Tshamba Henri, et al. Microbial Ecology of Mobile
Phones Staff Maternity Hospital Public Lubumbashi, DR Congo. Microbiol Infect Dis. 2019; 3(3): 1-4.

ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives: Mobile phones are used throughout; However, in hospitals they can be carriers of
pathogens that can cause nosocomial infections. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the use of mobile
phones by maternity staff of public hospitals in Lubumbashi and determine the bacterial contamination of mobile
phones.

Methods: The study was descriptive cross conducted during the period July to December 2016. The sampling was
done by volunteer staff in maternity wards of public hospitals in Lubumbashi. Were excluded from the study staff
did not have a maternity-care activity. A form was filled by bringing together all the data regarding the type of
mobile phone caregivers (with ordinary buttons, digital and / or digital with pouch) and the use of mobile phones
during work time. The collection of samples was performed by swabbing on phones by using ISO / DIS 14698-1.
Sample analysis was performed in the laboratory of the University Clinics of Lubumbashi and statistical analyzes
were performed using Epi Info 7.1.

Results: The results showed that 100% (54) of our respondents had a mobile phone and used it in the presence
of patients. The majority of staff (40/54 or 74.1%) stopped caring to answer the phone and of these, 39 (97.6%)
did not apply hand hygiene systematically before resuming treatment. 51 of the 54 phones collected were infected
(94.4%). Most organisms isolated were Escherichia coli (17.6%), Enterococcus faecalis (15.6%) and Citrobacter
freundi (11.7%). The presence of bacteria on the cell phone was significantly associated with the phone hygiene
(p = 0.005) and personal care who stopped to answer the phone (p = 0.001). The association between the type of
phone, and the presence of germs was not statistically significant (p = 0,).

Conclusion: Mobile phones could play a role in the transmission of nosocomial infections. It is necessary to
promote hand hygiene and the use of hydro-alcoholic solutions for disinfecting both mobile phones as hands.

Keywords even carry pathogens responsible for nosocomial infections.

Bacterial Ecology, Mobile phone, Carers, Maternity.
Mobile phones are increasingly common in health centers and even
Introduction reach the operating rooms. They have several uses in medicine:
Mobile phones such as the name suggests is to carry and use photography, medical documentation, registered and downloaded,
anywhere; therefore, this qualification is also observed in the communication-related work, etc. 5 of 21% of mobile phones
care environment with caregivers or even at the time of care of caregiver would bacterial reservoirs could cause a nosocomial
directors. The literature shows that the hospital environment is at infection [1]. Contamination can spread outside (areas) to more
risk of contracting nosocomial infections; This leads us to believe than 80% of hands exposed [2]. Mobile phones of health personnel
that the mobile phones of staff could be colonized by germs or constitute a reservoir of bacteria [3]. Every phone call, mobile
Microbiol Infect Dis, 2019 Volume 3 | Issue 3 | 1 of 4
phones are in close contact with highly contaminated regions of meet the Mobile Phone and among them, 97.6% did not apply
the human body: hands, mouth, nose and ears. These are personal hand hygiene before resuming treatment (Table 1).
objects used both in hospitals and outside of which the dirt comes
from simple things, they can be the cause of nosocomial and Behavior Yes N (%) No N (%)
community infections [4]. Mobile phones are usually carried in Using the Phone to hospital 54 (100) 0
the blouse of nursing staff, to the nearest sick and care. Research Using Mobile Phone in the presence of patients 54 (100) 0
has shown that it could be a major health risk for transmission
Clean hands before use of Mobile Phone 20 times (37.1) 34 (62.9)
of multi-resistant bacteria in health care facilities that can lead to
Clean hands after use of the Mobile Phone 0 54 (100)
serious infections associated with high morbidity, high mortality
and additional medical surcharge [4]. Mobile Phone Disinfection 2 occasional (3,7) 52 (96.3)
Stop a care in response to Mobile Phone 40 (74.1) 14 (25.9)
Objectives of Work If so, washing hands after 1 (2.4) 39 (97.6)
• Describe the use of mobile phones by maternity staff of public Table 1: Distribution of staff according to the use of mobile phones.
hospitals in Lubumbashi;
• To determine the rate of bacterial contamination of mobile
phones.

Methods
Study area
This work was performed in general hospitals of the city of
Lubumbashi, the capital of Haut-Katanga Province of the
Democratic Republic of Congo. This city has an area of 747 Km2
and its density is 3730 inhabitants / km2. It includes 11 health
zone each with a General Referral Hospital (HGR), intermediate
structures, referral health center for some (CSR) and Health
Centers (CS). Added to this is a Provincial Hospital (HP) and the
University Clinics of Lubumbashi.

Population and study Figure 1: Distribution of mobile phones according to bacterial

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study performed on a period contamination.
from July to December 2016 with the nursing staff working in
maternity wards of General Hospitals in Lubumbashi and owners Bacterial colonization of Mobile Phone
of mobile phones. Was included in the study staff with a mobile 100% of samples from the Mobile Phones 94.4% were colonized
phone, working in the maternity ward for at least 1 year and who by germs (Figure 1). 54% of samples were made on Cell Phone
agreed to participate in the study. The study involved 54 mobile with ordinary keys (Figure 2).
phones. Data were collected on the basis of observation, interview
questionnaire and swab surfaces of mobile phones (for laboratory
analysis) according to ISO / DIS 14698-1. The study has secured
the consent of the staff and anonymity.

Data analysis
• Culture was performed on MacConkey Agar (for the isolation
of Gram Negative Bacilli) Agar NAC (for the isolation of
gram positive bacilli) and Sabouraud agar (for the isolation
of fungi)
• The identification was done with Api Api 20E and 20NE.
• The statistical analysis was performed with Epi Info 7.1 and
Excel 2013.

Results
Use of Mobile Phone Figure 2: Type of phones used by healthcare workers of maternity HGR.
On 54 caregivers who participated in the study, the analysis
showed that 100% used their Cell Phones in health care and in the Isolated germs
presence of patients. 62.9% did not clean their hands before using Different strains have been isolated and including Escherichia
the Mobile Phone 100% and did not do it after using it. 96.3% coli (17.6%), Enterococcus faecalis (15.6%), Citrobacter
were not disinfecting their Cell Phones. 74.1% stopped a care to freundi (11.7%), Acinetobacter baumani and Klebsiella spp with
Microbiol Infect Dis, 2019 Volume 3 | Issue 3 | 2 of 4
9,8% each, Candida albicans, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella problems of hospital hygiene.
pneumoniae, coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Pseudomonas
aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus at 5.8% each (Table 2). Our study revealed that 94.4% of the mobile phones were
colonized by bacteria and 54% of samples were made on mobile
Isolated germs Frequency % phones with ordinary keys. This shows that mobile phones are
Acinetobacter baumani 5 9.8 a reservoir of bacteria that may be associated with nosocomial
infections because they are used even at the time of care. Our rate
Candida albicans 3 5.8
is higher than Botelho revealed colonization 68.5% and 32.0% in
Citrobacter freundi 6 11.7
the study by Sepehri et al. [6]. This can be explained by the lack
Enterococcus faecalis 8 15.6
of hygiene and mobile phones in our midst investigation. Our rate
Escherichia coli 9 17.6 is close to those of Uwingabiye J. et al. which was 100% [7]; 94%
Klebsiella oxytoca 3 5.8 Murgier et al. [1]; 97.8% for Ustun et al. [4]; 94.6% for Nwankwo
Klebsiella pneumoniae 3 5.8 et al. [8]; 94.5% for Ulger et al. [9]. It should educate caregivers
Klebsiella spp 5 9.8 decontamination of mobile phones and systematic hand hygiene.
Coagulase negative staphylococci 3 5.8
Pseudomonas aeruginosa 3 5.8
Our study revealed a significant association (p = 0.005) between
the presence of bacteria on the mobile phone and the hygiene of
Staphylococcus aureus 3 5.8
mobile phones (decontamination); The decontamination of mobile
Total 51 100
phones is crucial to reducing bacteria. The association between
Table 2: Distribution of mobile phones as isolated germs. the phone type and the presence of germs was not statistically
significant (p = 0.25). Brady et al. found that 89.7% of smartphones
The presence of bacteria on the cell phone was significantly were contaminated with bacteria [10]. Bacterial colonization on
associated with the phone hygiene (p = 0.005) and personal care mobile phones does not depend on the type of phone. Any phone
who stopped to answer the phone (p = 0.001). The association brand as it can harbor bacteria; it is therefore appropriate to apply
between the phone type and the presence of germs was not hygiene measures. Shakir et al. found a decrease in bacterial
statistically significant (p = 0.25). The median number of colonies colonies on smartphones which had a screen protector [11]. This
was 31796 CFU (Figure 3). is partly explained by the fact that the protective screen glass often
does not react to foreign substances and does not absorb; it is
described as inert [12].

We also found a significant association between mobile phone

and discontinuing a treatment to answer the phone; this leads us
to believe that the risk of certain nosocomial infections come from
mobile phone use in care environment; especially as 97.6% took up
the task without applying the hand hygiene measures. This pushes
us closer to the study of Sepehri et al. which revealed that the type
of isolated microorganisms and their sensitivity to commonly used
antimicrobials from the dominant hands were almost identical
Figure 3: Quantification of bacteria CFU. to those of phones (p <0.05) [6]. We are also closer to the study
Murgier et al. who found that the number of smartphones UFC
Discussion carriers was 94% prior to disinfection and 75% after disinfection
Our results show that mobile phones are used in maternity wards (p = 0.02) [1].
of public hospitals in Lubumbashi (100%) even in the presence of
patients. 62.9% did not clean their hands before using the mobile The predominant bacteria were Escherichia coli (17.6%) followed
phone and 100% did not do it after using it. 96.3% were not by Enterococcus faecalis (15.6%), Citrobacter freundi (11.7%),
disinfecting their mobile phones. 74.1% stopped a care to answer Acinetobacter baumani and Klebsiella spp with 9.8% each,
the phone and of these 97.6% did not apply hand hygiene before Candida albicans, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae,
resuming treatment. Staphylococcus coagulase negative, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and Staphylococcus aureus with 5.8% each. Unlike other studies,
The study by Botelho and employees in France on mobile phones it is the coagulase negative staphylococci strains that were
at the hospital use by caregivers and microbial contamination also frequently isolated (57.7%) followed by Corynebacterium spp
found a use of phones in 93.6%. 46.6% used their mobile phones (18.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (18.1%) and Bacillus sp (2.3
in the presence of the sick; 66.7% stoppaient a care to answer the %) [7]. Staphylococcus aureus (52%) and coagulase-negative
phone and before taking care 17.3% did not clean their hands [5]. staphylococci (31.3%) [9]. The coagulase-negative staphylococci
Our results appear to account held senior difference investigative were the most prevalent (69.3%), followed by micrococci (51.8%),
backgrounds. Africa and particularly DR Congo still has serious Klebsiella (1.5%) and Pseudomonas (1%) [13]. Staphylococci
Microbiol Infect Dis, 2019 Volume 3 | Issue 3 | 3 of 4
coagulase-negative were more rependus (50.1%), followed by pathogens. J Hosp Infect. 2009; 71: 295-300.
Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas 4. Ustun C, Cihangiroglu M. Health care workers’ mobile
aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp [1]. Staphylococcus phones: a potential cause of microbial cross-contamination
sp (30.2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (14%), Klebsiella sp (9.3%) between hospitals and community. J Occup Environ Hyg.
[15]. In the study Zakai et al., the most abundant isolates were also 2012; 9: 538-542.
coagulase-negative staphylococci (68%), Staphylococcus aureus 5. Botelho-Nevers E, Papazian L, Leone M, et al. Téléphones
(16.2%), Streptococcus viridans and Pantoeas species were also mobiles à l’hôpital: utilisation par les soignants et
isolated, but at lower levels [2]. In view of this literature, we find contamination bactérienne. 1-7.
that the reality of home is far from that of other lands; the level of 6. Sepehri G, Talebizadeh N, Mirzazadeh A, et al. Bacterial
hygiene is low. This is proven by the prevalence of Escherichia coli Contamination and Resistance to Commonly Used
often indicating fecal contamination. An application of appropriate Antimicrobials of Healthcare Workers’ Mobile Phones in
health measures in hospitals would be ideal to prevent the spread Teaching Hospitals, Kerman, Iran. Am J Appl Sci. 2009; 6.
of bacteria. 7. Uwingabiye J, Moustanfii W, Chadli M, et al. Etude de la
flore bactérienne contaminant les téléphones mobiles avant et
Conclusion après la désinfection : comparaison entre les professionnels
Mobile phones of maternity staff of public hospitals in Lubumbashi soignants de l’hôpital militaire d’instruction Mohammed V de
are colonized by bacteria and could play a role in the transmission Rabat et les témoins. Pan Afr Med J. 2015; 22: 326.
of nosocomial infections. It is therefore necessary to promote hand 8. Nwankwo EO, Ekwunife N, Mofolorunsho K. Nosocomial
hygiene and the use of hydro-alcoholic solution for disinfection of pathogens associated with the mobile phones of healthcare
mobile phones and hands. workers in a hospital in Anyigba, Kogi state, Nigeria. J
Epidemiol Glob Health. 2014; 4: 135-140.
Acknowledgment 9. Ulger F, Esen S, Dilek A, et al. Are we aware how contaminated
• We thank the microbiology laboratory team of Lubumbashi our mobile phones with nosocomial pathogens? Ann Clin
University Hospital for their support in the processing of Microbiol Antimicrob. 2009; 8: 7.
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Hospitals, Lubumbashi University Clinics and Hospital on healthcare workers’ mobile phones. J Hosp Infect. 2006;
Provincial J. Sendwe for their valuable support during the 62: 123-125.
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the sampling kit. the operating room. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2015; 97: 225-231.
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© 2019 Christelle K M, et al. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

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