International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Wastes are materials produced as a result of our daily activities, which are not useful or needed. Most of these wastes are not properly disposed, thereby constituting serious hazards to human health including developing anti-microbial resistance which have become a global public health challenge.
Objectives: This study investigated antibiogram of bacteria species isolated from air around dumpsites in Abakaliki metropolis of Ebonyi State.
Methods: Six (6) dump sites (Kpirikpiri market, Presco tomato market, Oversea lodge, Compton lodge, Ishieke market and Ezza road) were selected for the study. The air samples were collected 50 meters, and 100 meters away from the dump sites and analysed using standard microbiological techniques. Antibiotics susceptibility testing of microbial isolates was done using different classes of antibiotics, using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.
Results: Different kinds of bacterial were identified in different degrees based on their morphological appearances and biochemical characteristics. The distribution of isolated bacteria species from the waste dumpsite showed presences of Staphylococcus aureus - 22 (28.9%), Pseudomonas species - 16 (25.5%), Escherichia coli - 13(20.6%), Streptococcus species - 7 (9.2%), Enterobacter species - 11 (14.5%), Bacillus species -6 (7.9%), Listeria species - 3(3.9%), Neisseria species - 4(6.3%), Arthrobacter species - 1(1.3%) and Acinetobacter species - 30 (47.6%). The bacteria isolates obtained were resistant to tetracycline 85.7% to 100%, imipenem 51.6% to 100% and susceptible to ciprofloxacin 75.0% to 90.5%, gentamycin 81.0% to 100%.
Conclusion: The study concludes that government should provide recycling and treatment facilities for effective management and treatment of waste generated within the metropolis. Effective legislation should be put in place to regulate indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the area. The state Environmental protection Agency should provide more vehicles for the evacuation of waste dumps before bacteria degradation begins. Also, the populace should be sensitised on the importance of proper and good refuse disposal system as well as safe and eco-beneficial management of waste including recycling to convert wastes to wealth.