Effect of prevalence of e-learning and excessive use of disinfectants to bacterial contamination of mobile phones and computer keyboards during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: In Iraq, first confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported in February 24, 2020. Because of applying of healthy quarantine, electronic learning was applied in order to prevent the potential spreading of COVID-19 in the educational institutions, using of mobile phone and computer increased and given a great opportunity for increasing the microbial contamination. Aims: Study effect of excessive use of e-learning and disinfectants on the bacterial contamination of mobile phones and keyboards during the Corona epidemic. Methods and Materials: 200 samples were collected from computer keyboards and mobile phones used for E-learning by undergraduate students in college of Pharmacy/University of Babylon, Iraq for the period from 1st April–15th June 2021, during COVID-19 pandemic. Isolates were diagnosed by VITEK 2 system. Agar-well diffusion method was used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of some disinfectants included sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) (5% (, ethanol 70%, ethanol 99%, chlorhexidine gluconate 4% w/v, and chloroxylenol 4.8 w/v. Results: 308 isolates were obtained included 183 isolates from mobile phones and 125 isolates from computer keyboards. Antibacterial activity was varied depending on bacterial isolates, type and concentration of disinfectant. Sodium hypochlorite 5% revealed highest antibacterial activity against all studied bacteria followed by ethanol 70% and chlorhexidine gluconate 4% w/v, whereas chloroxylenol 4.8 w/v and ethanol 99% have the lowest activity. Conclusions: In light of the world’s preoccupation with the Corona pandemic, the use of mobile phones and computers for the purpose of e-learning increased, which caused an increase in bacterial contamination of these devices, which required drawing attention to this aspect.