Bacterial Contamination on Door Handles in Public Restrooms and Public Facilities in Al-Dabba City, Northern Sudan

Abstract

Background: Environmental hygiene is fundamental to preventing the transmission of infectious diseases. Frequently touched surfaces, particularly door handles in public facilities, serve as potential reservoirs for pathogenic microorganisms. In low-resource settings, inadequate disinfection practices amplify the risk of microbial contamination.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Dabba city, Northern Sudan, in 2026. A total of 100 swab samples were collected from door handles across diverse public facilities. Standard microbiological culture techniques were employed for bacterial isolation and identification. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (significance: p<0.05).

Results: Bacterial growth was detected in 78% of samples. The predominant isolates were Staphylococcus epidermidis (26%), Bacillus spp. (22%), and Staphylococcus aureus (17%). Additional isolates included Escherichia coli (6%), Klebsiella spp. (4%), and Staphylococcus saprophyticus (3%). Metal handles exhibited the highest contamination rate (86.8%; p = 0.002). High humidity was significantly associated with increased contamination (p = 0.032). Daily cleaning markedly reduced bacterial positivity (48.8%) compared to less frequent cleaning (100%; p = 0.013).

Conclusion: Door handles in Al-Dabba public facilities harbor high levels of bacterial contamination. Handle material, humidity, and cleaning frequency are significant determinants of microbial load. Standardized daily cleaning protocols, strengthened hand hygiene infrastructure, and routine microbiological surveillance are essential public health interventions.