title: Bacterial Contamination of Medical Doctors and Students White Coats at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania.
abstract: Background. Microbial transmission from patient to patient has been linked to transient colonization of health care workers attires. Contamination of health care workers' clothing including white coats may play a big role in transmission of microbes. Study Objective. This study was conducted to determine the type of bacterial contamination on the white coats of medical doctors and students and associated factors. Methods. A cross-sectional study with purposive sampling of the bacterial contamination of white coats was undertaken. Demographic variables and white coats usage details were captured: when the coat was last washed, frequency of washing, washing agents used, and storage of the white coats. Swabs were collected from the mouth of left and right lower pockets, sleeves, and lapels of white coat in sterile techniques. Results. Out of 180 participants involved in the current study, 65.6% were males. Most of the coats were contaminated by staphylococci species and other bacteria such as Gram negative rods. Conclusion and Recommendations. White coats are potential source of cross infection which harbour bacterial agents and may play a big role in the transmission of nosocomial infection in health care settings. Effort should be made to discourage usage of white coats outside clinical areas.
authors.affiliation: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, P.O. Box 2240, Moshi, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Josephat
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Qaday
authors.affiliation: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, P.O. Box 2240, Moshi, Tanzania; Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Clinical Laboratory, P.O. Box 3010, Moshi, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Margaretha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sariko
authors.affiliation: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Clinical Laboratory, P.O. Box 3010, Moshi, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mwakyoma
authors.affiliation: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, P.O. Box 2240, Moshi, Tanzania; Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Clinical Laboratory, P.O. Box 3010, Moshi, Tanzania; Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre Molecular Diagnostic Unit, P.O. Box 3010, Moshi, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kifaro
authors.affiliation: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, P.O. Box 2240, Moshi, Tanzania; Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 78373, Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Dominick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mosha
authors.affiliation: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, P.O. Box 2240, Moshi, Tanzania; Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Clinical Laboratory, P.O. Box 3010, Moshi, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tarimo
authors.affiliation: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, P.O. Box 2240, Moshi, Tanzania; Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Clinical Laboratory, P.O. Box 3010, Moshi, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Balthazar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nyombi
authors.affiliation: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, P.O. Box 2240, Moshi, Tanzania; Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Clinical Laboratory, P.O. Box 3010, Moshi, Tanzania; Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre Molecular Diagnostic Unit, P.O. Box 3010, Moshi, Tanzania; Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 78373, Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Better Human Health Foundation, P.O. Box 1348, Moshi, Tanzania; Imagedoctors International, P.O. Box 16341, Arusha, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Elichilia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shao