MICROBIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINE (ATM) KEYPADS OF BANKS USED IN MICHAEL OKPARA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, UMUDIKE, ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Automated Teller Machine (ATM) is used by millions of people each day. This study was aimed at- examining the microbial load of banks’ ATM keypads located within Michael Okpara University, Umudike (MOUAU) which is likely contaminated with various microorganisms due to their vast contact by multiple users. The results revealed presence of microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus 36.11%, Bacillus subtilis 25%, Escherichia coli  16.67%, Streptococcus spp. 19.44%, Rhizopus spp. 30.56%, Aspergillus niger 22.22%,  Aspergillus fumigatus 16.67%, Rhodotorula spp.  8.33% and Penicillium spp. 25% on the keypads as a function of their percentage of occurrence on the ATM surfaces. Antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that 39(55.7%) of the drugs was resistant, 8(11.4%) was intermediate and 23(32.9%) was susceptible, indicating a high level of multidrug resistance among microorganisms associated with ATM user interfaces which may pose health hazards to ATM users. Therefore, adequate personal hygiene, hand washing after ATM usage and routine cleaning regimen of these machines are recommended and should be practiced to reduce contamination on the ATM surfaces.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title                                                                                                                                         i

Certification                                                                                                                            ii

Dedication                                                                                                                               iii

Acknowledgements                                                                                                                iv

Table of Contents                                                                                                                   v

List of Tables                                                                                                                          vii

List of Figures                                                                                                                         viii

Abstract                                                                                                                                  ix

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1  Aims of Study                                                                                                           4

1.2  Objectives of Study                                                                                                  4

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

a.     Automated Teller Machine (ATM)                                                                            5

b.     History of  Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in Nigeria                                         5

c.     Benefits Associated with the Use of  ATM                                                                6

d.     ATM as a Means of Disease Transmission                                                                7

e.     Effects of Unhygienic Conditions on ATM Surfaces                                                10

2.6 Microorganisms Associated with ATM surfaces                                                             11

CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Study Area                                                                                                                       15

3.2 Materials                                                                                                                           15

3.3 Methods for Microbiological Analysis                                                                             15

3.3.1 Sample Collection and Processing                                                                                16

3.4 Isolation of Microorganisms                                                                                            16

3.4.1 Inoculation of Media for Characterization and Identification                                      17

3.4.2 Characterization of Bacterial Isolates                                                                           17

3.4.3 Characterization of Fungal Isolates                                                                               22

3.4.4 Identification of Bacterial Isolates                                                                                23

3.5 Determination of Occurrence                                                                                           23

3.6 Antibiotic Susceptibility Test                                                                                           23

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULTS

CHAPTER FIVE

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

5.1 Discussion                                                                                                                         37

5.2 Conclusion                                                                                                                        40

5.3 Recommendations                                                                                                            41

REFERENCES

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Persistence of clinically relevant bacteria on dry inanimate surfaces                       9

Table 4.1: Morphological and biochemical characteristics of bacterial isolates                        26

Table 4.2: Characteristics of fungi isolates                                                                            27

Table 4.3a: Percentage occurrence of bacterial isolates from ATM keypads                       28

Table 4.3b: Percentage occurrence of bacterial isolates from ATM screens            29

Table 4.4a: Percentage occurrence of fungi isolates from ATM keypads                                    30

Table 4.4b: Percentage occurrence of fungi isolates from ATM screens                                    31

Table 4.5: Percentage occurrence of bacterial contamination on the ATM surfaces           32

Table 4.6: Percentage occurrence of fungal contamination on the ATM surfaces                       33

Table 4.7: Antibiogram of the resistance and susceptibility patterns of bacterial

                        isolates to selected antibiotics                                                                        35

Table 4.8: Antibiogram profile of bacterial isolates                                                              36

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Total microbial contamination on the ATM surfaces                                             34

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are devices that provide the clients or customers of financial institutions with access to money transaction in a public space without the need of queuing up in front of a bank cashier, human clerk or bank teller. In recent years, more people are now moving towards using ATMs for their banking needs. They are the longest standing and most widely used form of computer driven public technology with an estimation of over 2.4 million units in use, since their invention and use in the late 1960’s (Okoro et al., 2017). Mbajiuka (2015) explained that it is a computerized telecommunication device which makes banking easier today. A typical usage of the machine involves slotting a card into a recipient hole and following onscreen instructions, by punching the keys of the metallic keypads to enter secret codes and commands; thus instructing the machine as to the kind of service one requires (Abban et al.,2011). ATMs are known by various other names including ATM machine, automated banking machine, cash dispenser and various regional variants derived from trademarks on ATM systems held by particular banks (Onuoha et al., 2014).

Bank ATMs are essential requirements of our social life. They are frequently localized in city centers, trade areas, and around the hospitals. Customers make contact with their hands on the surfaces of keypad and/or screen of these devices (Tekerekoğlu et al., 2012). Microorganisms are ubiquitous and have an amazing ability to adapt to new environments and further multiply in large numbers within a very short time. Their ability to adapt and multiply on various surfaces and in different environments is key to their being found on soil surfaces, acidic hot springs, radioactive waste water, deep in the earth’s crust, as well as organic matter and life bodies of plants and animals (Otu-Bassey et al., 2015).  

The reservoir of any organism, which may be animate or inanimate objects, in the epidemiology of any bacterial disease is very important. The pathogens live and/or multiply in the reservoir on which their survival depends. Pathogens live on fomites. Many epidemiological studies have confirmed that many contaminated surfaces played a major role in the spread of infectious diseases. Most people do not realize that microbes are found on many common objects outdoors, in their offices, and even in their homes. Such objects include; playground equipments, ATM keyboards, kitchen sinks, office desks, computer keyboards, escalator handrails, elevator buttons and with the spread of supermarkets and hypermarkets the shopping carts handles (Mabel et al., 2014). The most common mode of transmission of infectious agents in a community is contact. The spread of pathogenic microorganisms is possible either through direct physical contact among people or through contact with contaminated inanimate objects (fomites) and surfaces (Dakroub et al., 2017). People believe that microbes are only present in research labs or in hospitals and clinics and thus they have a misleading feeling of security in other places.

According to Ali et al. (2013), lack of vital knowledge about surfaces contaminated with germs could be the lead cause of health problems. Many factors have been shown to influence the bacteria transfers between surfaces, including the source and destination surface features, bacterial species involved, moisture levels, pressure and friction between the contact surfaces and inoculum size on surfaces (Abban et al., 2011). ATM machines are likely to be contaminated with various microorganisms due to their vast dermal contact by multiple users. The increased availability of multiple-user computers in the organization setting means that these items or equipment are handled by numerous users on a daily basis. Given that computers are not routinely disinfected, the opportunity for the transmission of contaminating microorganisms is potentially great.

Our understanding of the ubiquity of microorganisms in the environment is developing, but the risk or hazard of contamination posed by computer user interfaces is not yet fully understood. No clear legislation or even widely recognized guidelines have been formulated on the hazard caused by computer components. This is not in the best interest of campus students especially that computer keypads and mice could spread significant number of pathogens (Ali et al., 2013). The presence of viable pathogenic bacteria on inanimate objects has been reported by earlier investigators. Salmonella species and Escherichia coli has also been shown to be transferred from hands to raw processed and cooked foods, even at low levels on the fingers. Furthermore, microorganisms found to contaminate fomites has also been shown to persist on environmental surfaces in varying periods of time ranging from hours to months. In addition, bacteria that can cause severe gastroenteritis have been found on ATM keypads and cross infection of microorganisms between environmental surfaces and a host has equally been established. It has also been shown that microbes once attached to hands and some surfaces may survive for a while and may be difficult to remove (Okoro et al., 2017).

Scientific research has shown that commonly used surfaces such as computers, telephones, headsets, desks and ATM machines are potential sources of infectious bacteria and viruses leading to the spread of colds, flu, sickness and diarrhea (Ashgar et al., 2012). Considering that most ATM users are largely ignorant of the potential hazards they face each time they use an ATM and that the contamination of ATMs by microorganisms have been established, the need for public awareness on the possible health implications associated with such use, therefore, cannot be overemphasized.

1.1 Aims of Study

The study focused on the microbiological examination (by laboratory analysis) of banks’ Automated Teller Machine (ATM) keypads located in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU).

1.2 Objectives of Study

The specific objectives of this research are as follows:

i.               To examine the microbial load present on ATM keypads (and screens) of banks used and located in MOUAU.

ii.              To determine the microorganisms associated with the use of ATMs as well as isolate, characterize and identify them.

iii.            To investigate whether microorganisms isolated were pathogenic or non-pathogenic.

iv.            To examine the relationship between ATM surface contamination by microorganisms and disease transmission.

v.              To recommend measures that create public health awareness on the hazards associated with the use of ATMs.

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