N. A. OLISE

The increasing prevalence of microbial contamination in objects such as Point-of-Sale (POS) machines poses significant public health risks, particularly in high traffic areas such as markets, schools, where hygiene practices may be inadequate. This study aimed to evaluate the bacterial and fungal loads on POS machines used by traders across specific markets in Benin City, Edo State to identify the types of microorganisms present, assess their prevalence, and propose measures for reducing contamination. A total of 150 POS machines were sampled within the study area using swab sticks moistened with sterile saline. These swabs of POS surfaces were collected from five different markets: Oba market, New Benin market, Uselu market, Oliha market and Ikpoba hill market. The markets covered three Local Government Area. Microbial
analyses were performed using standard techniques consisting of macroscopy, microscropy, identification and susceptibility testing of isolates present, and type of microbial contamination. The results revealed that a large percentage of the samples (75.3%) showed bacterial contamination where Klebsiella spp. (17.3%) and Staphylococcus aureus (15.3%) were found to be predominant, while fungal contamination was 57.3% of the samples collected, with Candida spp. being the most prevalent with the percentage (38.7%). The study highlighted significant variations in contamination rates across different markets and, indicating that certain markets, such as Ikpoba-hill market, had higher levels of bacterial contamination. The findings underscore the urgent need for improved hygiene practices among traders and regulatory oversight to ensure reduced contamination on these devices thereby reducing the spread of diseases. In conclusion, this research provides critical insights into the microbial quality of POS machines in Benin City and emphasizes the importance of implementing effective and good hygienic practices to protect the health of users.