Hygiene condition of Bandar Abbas swimming pools, 2003

Introduction; Swimming pools are one of the important recreational places that due to direct relationship to different groups of people, can be a good carrier for bacterial, fungal and parasite diseases. This study was conducted to evaluate hygiene condition of the pools. Material and methods: In this descriptive study, all of active swimming pools of Bandar Abbas (based on Salvato recommendation) were selected for sampling. The number of microbial and fungal samples was 84 and 165 respectively. The volume of samples was 100, 250 and 1000 cc and sampling period was two weekly and sampling was random. Free residual chlorine and turbidity rates were tested respectively by DPD method and Lovivond turbid meter, the range of later instrument was 0-1000 NTU. Attention to hygienic and safety subjects by swimmers and operators was surveyed by questionnaire and results were analyzed by statistical indexes such as central indexes and Pearson correlation coefficient (P<0.05= significant). Results: Chlorination of pools water in 47.3% of cases was suitable, 17.5% was unsuitable and 35.2% was zero. Variation rate of pH was 6.8-7.8 and turbidity in all of samples was less than 1 NTU and variation rate of turbidity in two cases was 1.4-9.4 NTU. 18% of total samples were polluted by Coli form bacteria. Relationship between chlorination rate and Coli form pollution was significant (r=0625 and P<0.05). The most important funguses separated from water were Aspergillus niger 44.11%, Yeast sp 35.8% Candida 33.09%, aspergillus sp 32.63%, Fusarium 27.29%, Cladspoum sp 25.79% and mucor 21.09% (no significance relationship to chlorination). &nbsp;&nbsp; Attention to safety subjects by operators was 80% and attention to hygienic subjects by swimmers was 60%.&nbsp; Conclusion: Attention to water disinfection, turbidity and pH control is effective in microbial pollution reduction but it is not a unique way in prevention of fungal pollution. Health habits such as body washing with soap before use of pool, correct using of entrance chlorine basin and basic sanitation of pools can reduce fungal pollution.