Consumers’ Perception on Safety and Microbiological Assessment of Sanitary Pads Sold in The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria

Urinary tract infections (UTI) a known public health problem is common in females. The objectives of this study were to assess consumers’ knowledge on possible contamination of sanitary pads, determine the quality of some commercial brands of sanitary pads and evaluate the effect of different storage conditions on their integrity. To assess consumers’ knowledge on possible contamination of sanitary pads, determine the quality of some commercial brands of sanitary pads and evaluate the effect of different storage conditions on their integrity. A cross-sectional analysis of 500 female respondents was done by a close ended, structured, interviewer dispensed inquiry form through stratified random sampling. Ten brands of sanitary pads were stored at conditions to simulate possible storage habits of consumers and at different time intervals (0, 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days) samples were assessed for total bacterial count (TBC) and total fungal count (TFC) via the pour plate method. Standard methods were used to isolate and identify pathogens. Results revealed that 69.4 % of respondents stored their pads in sealed enclosures, 11.8 % were not aware of the dangers of poor storage and 51.4 % agreed that poor storage could result in microbial contamination. The results on microbial burden revealed that none of the pads were contaminated at the beginning of the study (Day 0). The presence of microorganisms (B. subtilis, S. aureus and Mucor spp) were observed after 24h of storage, especially in samples with open packages and stored in open shelves, followed closely by those unsealed in enclosed environments. These microbial growths can therefore be attributed to the storage conditions of the sanitary pads. Sanitary pads can harbour pathogenic microorganisms; there is a need to properly store them and once opened use them within 14 days to prevent environmental contamination.