Bacterial Contamination of Sand in Children’s Kindergarten Playgrounds
- VernacularTitle:Хүүхдийн тоглоомын талбайн элсний бактери, шимэгчийн бохирдол
- Author:
Suvdchimeg M
1
;
Altantsetseg D
1
Author Information
1. Ach Medical University
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Bacterial contamination;
Parasitic contamination;
Playground sand
- From:Mongolian Medical Sciences
2026;215(1):85-92
- CountryMongolia
- Language:Mongolian
-
Abstract:
Background:Sand play benefits young children’s physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development and
can help meet the WHO’s daily activity recommendation of 180 minutes. Children consider
playing with sand as a pleasurable activity, which allows them to interact with materials,
explore, and use them creatively to develop their imagination. However, sand provides a
favorable environment for the growth and development of microorganisms.
Objective:To assess bacterial and parasitic contamination in playground sand and compare the
findings with established hygiene standards.
Materials and Methods:The study was conducted using a descriptive cross-sectional design. Thirteen kindergartens
were selected through simple random sampling from a total of 39 public kindergartens in
Bayangol District, Ulaanbaatar. The research was carried out using laboratory analysis
methods. Collected data were compiled using Microsoft Excel and Word 2016, and processed
with SPSS version 24
Results:The total bacterial contamination of the sand samples collected in the study was 2.2 Ч 10⁵
CFU/g, indicating heavy contamination. The analysis showed that Clostridium perfringens
was present in 100% of samples (n=13), Escherichia coli in 92.8% (n=12), Bacillus subtilis
in 46.1% (n=6), and Acinetobacter in 7.7% (n=1). Additionally, mold was detected in 38.4%
of the samples (n=5). Parasite eggs were found in 54% (n=7) of the samples from the 13
kindergartens. Analysis of the types of parasite eggs revealed that Ascaris lumbricoides was
present in 28.5% (n=2), Enterobius vermicularis in 28.5% (n=2), Balantidium coli in 57.1%
(n=4), and Toxocara spp. in 14.2% (n=1) of the positive samples.
Conclusion:Playground sand is highly contaminated with bacteria and parasites, posing infection risks,
and is influenced by animal feces, poor sanitation, and environmental conditions.
- Full text:2026070408570998255MAUS-2026-215(1)-85-92.pdf
