Abstract
M.Tech. (Chiropractic)
Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess for the presence of transient pathogenic flora
on hands and breath in the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Chiropractic outpatient teaching
clinic and to determine a simple behavioural model for infection control and accepted hand
washing and sanitizing protocols of both students and patients.
Methods: Sixty four male or female participants between the ages of 18-60 participated in
the study. The participants were allocated into 2 groups of 32. Group A consisted of
chiropractic students in the UJ Chiropractic Clinic. Group B consisted of patients of Group A
students. Data was collected once off by the researcher assisted by a laboratory intern. Each
participant was required to complete a Hand Hygiene Knowledge questionnaire before
“washing” their hands in a sterilised bag of water, as well as giving a breath sample from
their nares. Data was collected using Total coliforms (hygiene), Escherichia coli (faecal
pollution) and fungal isolation. Samples were analysed by the Water and Health Research
Centre and the Food, Environment and Health Research Group, thereafter, statistical
analysis was performed by STATKON.
Results: Hand hygiene knowledge – With regard to the average knowledge percentages,
Group B scored slightly higher than Group A overall, with the highest score coming from a
Group A participant. Many of the opinion-based questions raised concern, as a vast majority
of participants had not received any hand hygiene training and did not believe in the
effectiveness of hand hygiene in preventing healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) and the
effect HCAIs have on a patients’ clinical outcome. No gender difference in knowledge was
observed and no statistical significance (p>0.05) can be observed between age and
knowledge. Bacteria/fungal results – As suspected, both bacterial and fungal pathogens
were picked up from the hand and nose samples. The most frequently identified bacteria
were S. epidermis, V. cholerae/V. fluvialis and P. mirabilis. A. flavus and A. niger were the
two most frequently occuring fungi. No statistically significant correlations could be seen, but
some links could be found between chiropractic students and patients with regards to
microorganisms found...