Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Bacterial Pathogens and Health Hazards Associated with Municipal Solid Wastes in Gboko Town, Nigeria

Abstract

Municipal solid wastes constitute one of the most challenging health and environmental hazards facing urbanizations in African countries. This study was therefore carried out on antibiotics susceptibility profile of bacterial pathogens and possible health hazards that could be associated with municipal solid wastes in Gboko town, Nigeria. Fourty samples were collected for bacteriological analyses. The municipal solid wastes collected were mixed homogenously, segregated and each segregate was weighed and recorded. The bacteriological loads and flora of the wastes were determined. The antibiogram assay of the isolates was carried out as well. A structured questionnaire was administered to households in order to assess the challenges and hazards associated with the wastes in Gboko town. The biodegradable bulks occupied the total mean of 63.59 % while the non-biodegradable matter formed the remaining 36.41% respectively. The bacterial isolates from the dumps with their respective percentage frequencies of occurrence and their mean percentage antibiotic susceptibility profiles in brackets were Salmonella typhi 84.12 (61.90), Escherichia coli 87.49 (50.00), Staphylococcus aureus 82.19 (60.44), Proteus sp 46.10 (91.11), Streptococcus sp (65.75 (83.33) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa 85.23 (60.32). The bacteria isolated are generally known pathogens; hence their presence in the dumps in such high prevalence levels could pose health hazards to the public in the town.