DOI: https://doi.org/10.14710/jkli.78901

Factors Associated with Airborne Microbial Counts in the Inpatient Installation of Hospital X, Semarang City

Department of Public Health, Universitas Diponegoro, Jl. Prof. Jacub Rais, Tembalang, Semarang, Indonesia 50275, Indonesia

Open Access Copyright 2026 Jurnal Kesehatan Lingkungan Indonesia under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.

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Abstract

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a challenge in healthcare services, with a prevalence of approximately 5–15% in developed countries and higher rates in developing countries. In Indonesia, the prevalence is estimated at 10–15% among hospitalized patients. Although air quality in the Inpatient Installation of Hospital X met the established standards based on routine monitoring in 2024, the measurements did not include patient visiting hours, which may increase microbial contamination in the air. This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with airborne microbial counts in the Inpatient Installation of Hospital X, Semarang.

Methods: An analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted in 35 Class III inpatient wards selected as the study sample. Data analysis included univariate analysis, bivariate analysis using the chi-square test, and multivariate analysis using the Backward Wald logistic regression method.

Results: The mean room temperature was 26.5°C, relative humidity was 67.8%, light intensity was 218 lux, and the mean airborne microbial count was 304.5 CFU/m³. Bivariate analysis showed that temperature (p=0.001), relative humidity (p=0.030), number of patients (p=0.044), air circulation system (p=0.013), and personal hygiene (p=0.022) were significantly associated with airborne microbial counts. Multivariate analysis identified relative humidity (p=0.028) and personal hygiene (p=0.024) as the most dominant factors affecting airborne microbial counts.

Conclusion: The findings confirm that temperature, relative humidity, number of patients, air circulation system, and personal hygiene affect airborne microbial counts in the Class III Inpatient Installation of Hospital X, with relative humidity and personal hygiene exerting the strongest influence.

 

 

ABSTRACT

Title: Factors Associated with Airborne Microbial Counts in the Inpatient Installation of Hospital X, Semarang City

Background: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a challenge in healthcare services, with a prevalence of approximately 5–15% in developed countries and even higher rates in developing countries. In Indonesia, the prevalence is estimated to range from 10% to 15% among hospitalized patients. Although routine monitoring conducted in 2024 indicated that the air quality in the Class III Inpatient Installation of Hospital X met the established standards, the measurements did not include patient visiting hours, during which increased human activity may elevate airborne microbial contamination. This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with airborne bacterial counts in the Class III Inpatient Installation of Hospital X, Semarang.

Methods: An analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted in 35 Class III inpatient wards selected as the study sample. Data were analyzed using univariate analysis, bivariate analysis with the chi-square test, and multivariate analysis using the Backward Wald logistic regression method.

Results: The mean room temperature was 26.5°C, relative humidity was 67.8%, light intensity was 218 lux, and the mean airborne bacterial count was 304.5 CFU/m³. Bivariate analysis showed that temperature (p=0.001), relative humidity (p=0.030), number of patients (p=0.044), air circulation system (p=0.013), and personal hygiene (p=0.022) were significantly associated with airborne bacterial counts. Multivariate analysis identified relative humidity (p=0.028) and personal hygiene (p=0.024) as the most influential factors affecting airborne bacterial counts.

Conclusion: Temperature, relative humidity, number of patients, air circulation system, and personal hygiene significantly influenced airborne bacterial counts in the Class III Inpatient Installation of Hospital X, with relative humidity and personal hygiene being the most dominant factors.

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Keywords: Physical Air Quality; Airborne Microorganisms; Nosocomial Infections; Personal Hygiene; Hospital Sanitation

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Section: Research Articles
Language : ID
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