Assessment of Microbial Contamination of Circulating Currency and the Awareness and Hygiene Practices of Currency Users in Nalut, Libya

Amira Bagni; Aminah Aljerbi; Hajar Kounees; Huda Kounees; Hadel Wargh; Dua Wargh

doi:10.54361/ajmas.269945

Authors

Amira Bagni Department of Public Health, College of Medical Technology, Nalut University, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8619-8198
Aminah Aljerbi Department of Public Health, College of Medical Technology, Nalut University, Libya https://orcid.org/0009-0007-5069-8389
Hajar Kounees Department of Public Health, College of Medical Technology, Nalut University, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7123-9225
Huda Kounees Department of Public Health, College of Medical Technology, Nalut University, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1535-6080
Hadel Wargh Department of Public Health, College of Medical Technology, Nalut University, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3212-1176
Dua Wargh Department of Public Health, College of Medical Technology, Nalut University, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6045-4854

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54361/ajmas.269945

Keywords:

Microbial, Circulating Currency, Awareness, Behaviors, Nalut

Abstract

Circulating currency serves as a potential vehicle for transmitting pathogenic microorganisms, posing a significant public health risk. This study aimed to assess the microbial contamination levels of currency circulating in Nalut City, Libya, and to evaluate public awareness and behaviors regarding money handling. A cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study was conducted from November 2025 to April 2026. A total of 121 circulating currency samples were collected from various commercial categories and analyzed using biochemical tests for microbial identification. Simultaneously, 194 questionnaires were randomly distributed to vendors and customers across diverse environments to assess awareness and behavioral practices. Microbial contamination was highly prevalent across tested samples. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most frequent isolate (16.53%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (15.70%), alongside various Gram-negative bacteria, most notably Burkholderia cepacia, Klebsiella spp., and Escherichia coli. Paper currency accounted for 75.6% of the total microbial isolates and exhibited a numerically higher contamination rate than coins (79.07% vs. 62.86%), although this difference did not reach statistical significance (χ² = 3.43, p = 0.064). Geographically, food retail stores and vegetable shops recorded the highest true contamination rates (100.00% and 92.31%, respectively), while pharmacies and bakeries — despite contributing the largest sample shares — showed comparatively lower rates (59.09% and 57.69%), a variation confirmed as statistically significant (χ² = 11.948, p = 0.036). Regarding human behavior, negative money-handling practices were more prevalent than positive hygiene behaviors among participants. While participants demonstrated a moderate level of health awareness regarding contaminated currency risks (61.86%), a significant gap persisted between knowledge and actual behavioral application. Age was significantly associated with both awareness and behavioral patterns (p < 0.05), whereas gender and educational level were significantly associated with awareness only, showing no measurable association with actual money-handling behavior. Conclusion of the study: circulating currency represents a potential environmental vector for microbial transmission in Nalut. The pronounced gap between public awareness and practice highlights the urgent need for targeted public health interventions and community awareness campaigns to promote safer currency-handling hygiene.