@article{MAKHILLRJMS20126111823,
    title = {Bacterial Contaminants of Nigerian Currency Notes and Associated Risk Factors},
    journal = {Research Journal of Medical Sciences},
    volume = {6},
    number = {1},
    pages = {1-6},
    year = {2012},
    issn = {1815-9346},
    doi = {rjmsci.2012.1.6},
    url = {https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?issn=1815-9346&doi=rjmsci.2012.1.6},
    author = {Ameh,Jairus and},
    keywords = {transmission,Bacteria,contamination,Naira,risk factors,Nigeria},
    abstract = {The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of bacterial 
  contaminants in Nigerian currency notes that are in circulation in Northern 
  Nigeria and associated risk factors. A total of 160 different Naira notes in 
  circulation were randomly sampled for bacterial isolation. About 250 structured 
  questionnaires were also issued to the public and 20 restaurants were randomly 
  visited with the view of identifying possible risk factors associated with Naira 
  note contamination. The genera of bacteria isolated included <I>Staphylococcus</I> 
  sp. (22.5%), <I>Escherichia coli</I> (12.5%), <I>Pseudomonas</I> sp. (6.25%), 
  <I>Klebsiella</I> sp. (5%), <I>Streptococcus</I> sp. (3.75%) and <I>Proteus</I> 
  sp. (2.5%). The <img src="http://docsdrive.com/images/medwelljournals/rjmsci/2012/img1-2k12-1-6.gif" width="11" height="10" align="absmiddle"> 
  100 and 20 notes were more contaminated while <img src="http://docsdrive.com/images/medwelljournals/rjmsci/2012/img1-2k12-1-6.gif" width="11" height="10" align="absmiddle"> 
  50 and 5 notes did note yield any bacterial contaminant. The result also showed 
  that 33.8% of the paper notes were contaminated as compared with 18.8% of the 
  polymer notes (p&lt;0.05). The questionnaire survey showed a high preference 
  to the polymer notes (58.5%) as compared with 13% of the paper notes (p&lt;0.05). 
  About 87.8% of the respondents use either wallets or purses to keep their money 
  while 80.5% were of the opinion that the Naira gets abused and subsequently 
  contaminated through spraying and subsequent trampling upon during ceremonies, 
  use of saliva or unclean water to wet the fingers while counting money during 
  business transactions were possible risk factors in Naira contamination. Among 
  the restaurants visited, 45% do not have standard cashiers that handle money 
  matters alone. It was concluded that the Naira notes in circulation in Northern 
  Nigeria may serve as a vehicle for the transmission of potentially pathogenic 
  microorganisms and poor money-handling culture contributes to transmission of 
  these microorganisms. Hygienic handling of money is therefore stressed.}
    }