Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns of Bacteria Isolated from Pharmacy Technicians' Hands in Ghana

Background: Pharmacy technicians play a critical role in healthcare delivery, particularly in developing countries like Ghana. However, there is limited knowledge about the microbial contamination of their hands and the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of these microbes. This study aimed at investigating the presence of bacteria on the hands of pharmacy technicians in the Upper West region of Ghana and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the isolated organisms.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2019. Hand swabs were collected from pharmacy technicians working in hospital pharmacies, community pharmacies, and over-the-counter medicine shops. Samples were cultured, and isolated bacteria were identified using standard microbiological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method.

Results: Thirty samples were collected across the three pharmacy categories. The study identified Bacillus species, Staphylococcus species, and Enterobacter species on the hands of pharmacy technicians. Bacillus species were the most prevalent and were generally sensitive to most antibiotics tested. Staphylococcus species, however, showed resistance to multiple antibiotics. Enterobacter species demonstrated mixed susceptibility patterns.

Conclusion: The study revealed significant microbial contamination on the hands of pharmacy technicians, with some isolates showing alarming antimicrobial resistance patterns. These findings emphasize the need for improved hand hygiene practices and regular antimicrobial susceptibility surveillance among pharmacy technicians to prevent the spread of potentially harmful bacteria in healthcare settings.