TITLE:
Safe Maternity in a Context of Limited Resources: Bacteriological Study of the Obstetrical Environment of the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala, Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Henri Essome, Merlin Boten, Christiane Medi Sikè, Michele Florence Mendoua, Grace Dalle Ngondi, Josiane Kikiè Essola, Gwladys Meya Pomi, Maxime Makongo, Nathalie Ntago, Moustapha Bilkissou, Fulbert Mangala Nkwele, Reine Koundo Motah, Lionel Oscar Essome Tocky, Junie Ngaha Yaneu, Elvire Eyenga Mfomo, Florence Ornella Obono Ebo, Honorine Ehete, Ingrid Doriane Ofakem Ilick, Gervais Mounchikpou Ngouhouo, Alphonse Ngalame, Grâce Tocki Toutou, Astrid Ndolo Kondo, Michel Roger Ekono, Estelle Wafo, Dieudonné Adiogo
KEYWORDS:
Bacterial Ecology, Antibiotic Sensitivity, Maternity, Douala
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.16 No.2,
February
9,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Microorganisms capable of causing nosocomial infections in our healthcare environment are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in our maternity wards. Objective: Our objective was to qualify and quantify the bacterial flora of the hospital environment (surfaces and air) of the Laquintine Hospital Douala gynecology and obstetrics department. Methodology: We took forty-two (42) samples in three units (delivery room, obstetrical theatre and a postpartum unit) of the Laquintine Hospital Douala gynecology and obstetrics department. These samples concerned: surfaces (trolley, operating room light, bedside table, window, wall, IV pole, door handle, switches, footrest, cupboard, operating table, bed, oxygen cannula: n = 37) and air: n = 5. Standard bacterial isolation and identification methods were used. Results: In our study, cultures were positive in 69.04% of samples (29/42), with 67.57% of surfaces and 100% of air samples; 86.21% (25/29) consisted of potentially pathogenic species. The distribution of these potentially pathogenic species showed a predominance of staphylococci with 70.83% coagulase negative staphylococci and 29.67% Staphylococcus aureus. Gram-negative bacilli (Enterobacter cloacae, A. baumanii), and Micrococcus sp were isolated respectively in 5.4%, 8.1% and 10.81% of cases. Conclusion: It appears essential to improve basic hygiene and asepsis in the maternity ward by establishing continuous monitoring and evaluation of hand washing and periodic decontamination of premises.