ABSTRACT

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are used daily by millions of people, making them accessible to individuals of all ages, classes, and races. The hand, being the primary contact point for all ATM machines, naturally carries a variety of microorganisms. A comprehensive survey was conducted to assess potential microbial contamination at selected ATMs on the University of Benin campus. This study aimed to identify, characterize, and evaluate the extent of bacterial contamination, as well as the role of ATMs as reservoirs for microbes.  Thirty samples were collected from various ATMs within the university premises, using sterile swabs moistened with sterile physiological saline. Samples underwent immediate transportation to the laboratory and cultured on MacConkey agar, mannitol salt agar (MSA), and nutrient agar and incubated at 37°C overnight.  Bacteria isolates were identified using colonial morphology and biochemical reaction. Out of the 30 samples, 24 samples (80.0%) showed growth of bacteria while 6 (20.0%) yielded no growth. Data analysis revealed Klebsiella spp as the predominant pathogen (50.0%), followed byStaphylococcus aureus (29.2%), Escherichia coli (16.7%) and Citrobacter (4.2%). Antibiotic sensitivity testing showed that many isolates were resistant to Cefuroxime, Erythromycin, Amoxicillin-Clavulanate, Cefotaxime, Cefixime, Imipenem, Ampiclox, Ciprofloxacin and Nitrofurantoin while Gentamycin, Ofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Ceftriaxone, Nalidixic acid and Azithromycin had high sensitivity. The study showed the potential hazard inherent in ATM machine usage and draws attention to our level of hand hygiene compliance.