Microbial Contamination of ATM Keypads in Banks Within Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State

Automated teller machine (ATM) keypads are high-frequency contact surfaces used by diverse members of the public without accompanying hand hygiene facilities, making them potential vectors for microbial transmission in urban environments. This study investigated the microbial contamination of ATM keypads in 20 bank branches across Port Harcourt metropolis, Rivers State, South South Nigeria. Surface swabs from ATM keypad surfaces were collected on three separate occasions from each ATM over a four-week period. Total aerobic plate count, identification of S. aureus, Klebsiella species, Candida species, and E. coli were performed using standard microbiological techniques. Resistance profiling of recovered S. aureus isolates was determined by the Kirby-Bauer method. Results showed that all sampled ATM keypads carried measurable bacterial loads, with mean total counts of 8.7 × 10^4 CFU per keypad surface. S. aureus was the most frequently isolated organism (65%), followed by Klebsiella species (32%), E. coli (18%), and Candida albicans (12%). MRSA was detected in 30.8 percent of S. aureus isolates. Notably, indoor ATMs in air-conditioned banking halls had significantly lower microbial counts than outdoor ATMs exposed to environmental elements. These findings indicate that ATM keypads in Port Harcourt serve as reservoirs for clinically significant bacteria and highlight the value of hand hygiene promotion at banking service points. Keywords: ATM keypads, microbial contamination, MRSA, Port Harcourt, public health.