Authors

Hugh Ariff M. Aserit
Bulacan State University
Malolos City, Bulacan, Philippines

Romer Cholo S. Cruz*
Bulacan State University
Malolos City, Bulacan, Philippines
Email: romercruz147@gmail.com

Denver Lyndon Aerol S. San Diego
Bulacan State University
Malolos City, Bulacan, Philippines

Allane Allan Paul N. Valenzuela
Bulacan State University
Malolos City, Bulacan, Philippines

Lech Walesa M. Navarra
Bulacan State University
Malolos City, Bulacan, Philippines

Abstract

In public environments, cleanliness and hygiene is significant aspect to avoid diseases, especially in facilities like restrooms and canteens. Although some may appear visually clean, it may still harbor bacterial presence. The BactoClean research assessed and evaluated bacterial contamination in high-traffic facilities within Bulacan State University. Data samples were gathered from frequently touched areas like door handles, flush handles, faucets, utensils, dining tables, food preparation area, respectively form restroom and canteen facility. Bacteria levels were measured as colony forming units and evaluated as CFU/cm². The samples were gathered and observed utilizing agar plates, and collected from both female and male in restrooms to avoid data biasing and alteration. A quantitative descriptive research design was applied and observational assessments were conducted, evaluating hygiene supply availability, and environmental practices for each facility. Results shown that College of Engineering showed the highest CFU count, while the College of Social Sciences and Psychology restroom recorded the lowest. Faucets and flush handles specifically present consistent higher CFU/cm² rating, recognizing them as bacterial reservoir. All the facility has shown bacterial presence, although it remained in low contamination spectrum. This study assists in continuous development of sanitation practices for maintaining a safe and healthy environment.

Keywords: Bacterial contamination, bacterial presence, sanitation practices, CFU/cm²

*Corresponding author
DOI: http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS0501858

Recommended citation:
Aserit, H. A. M., Cruz, R. C. S., San Diego, D. L. A. S., Valenzuela, A. A. P. N., & Navarra, L. W. M. (2026). BactoClean: A conceptual assessment of hygiene conditions in university restrooms and canteens. Pantao (The International Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences) 5 (1), 9666-9675. http://doi.org/10.69651/PIJHSS0501858

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