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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global phenomenon; however, its link to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) remains underexplored, particularly in health care facilities where humanitarian crises prevail.
This study aimed to identify AMR bacteria in samples collected from WASH services in 2 hospitals in Gaza and to investigate the presence of AMR genes.
A hospital-based cross-sectional study to detect and identify antimicrobial resistance bacteria was conducted. Random samples from water, wastewater, soap, and surface swabs (n=345) were collected from Al-Shifa and European Gaza hospitals and screened for the presence of
High levels of bacterial contamination were detected in water and surface swab samples with an overall percentage of 34.1%. Moreover, 22% of the identified
The results underline the level of contamination with AMR bacteria in WASH samples and highlight the need to consider the safety of WASH service at health care facilities as an essential aspect in the fight against the spread of AMR and to interrupt nosocomial transmission.
Potential transmission of antimicrobial resistant bacteria.