Sci Rep June 2021 PMID 34155278

Mobile phones of paediatric hospital staff are never cleaned and commonly used in toilets with implications for healthcare nosocomial diseases.

Matthew Olsen, Anna Lohning, Mariana Campos, Peter Jones, Simon McKirdy, Rashed Alghafri, Lotti Tajouri

Mentions

70
Peak: 13 in Sep 2021
across 5 sources since Sep 2021

Extended reach

227,797
potential audience

Total likes

121

Video views

16,290

Mentions per month

Sep 2021 – Dec 2025

Where it's discussed

  • TikTok48 posts
  • X / Twitter15 posts
  • Facebook3 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Instagram2 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reflect a high level of agreement with the article's conclusions, highlighting the dangers of contaminated phones using words like 'Eewwww' and phrases such as 'our phones are covered in bacteria.' The tone is often alarmed and urgent, emphasizing the importance of awareness and changing hygienic habits, which indicates strong engagement and recognition of the potential impact on health.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions strongly agree with the article's findings, emphasizing the health risks and the need for better hygiene practices.

InterestHigh interest

Posts show high interest, with many describing the issue as 'horrifying' or 'very interesting,' indicating engagement and relevance.

EngagementModerate engagement

Several posts actively cite the article, mention personal reactions, or share advice, demonstrating meaningful interaction.

ImpactHigh impact

The conversations underscore a perceived urgency and significant health impact, with some suggesting that cleaning phones could reduce infection risk.

Abstract in brief

  • The survey revealed that a large majority (98%) of paediatric healthcare workers believe their phones could be contaminated, yet most (56%) have never cleaned or disinfected their devices.
  • Many workers frequently use their phones in unclean environments, with nearly 53% using their phones in bathrooms, which increases the risk of pathogen transmission.
  • Disinfection practices are infrequent and often inadequate, making mobile phones potential carriers for microorganisms and possibly contributing to hospital-acquired infections, especially in the context of pandemic spread like SARS-CoV-2.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
The Conversation - Australia + New Zealand
@ConversationEDU · X

Reading this on the toilet right now? 52% of hospital staff surveyed said they do the same. The problem: phones are vectors for disease. @BondUniversity molecular expert takes a look at the germs on our phones in our latest video. https://t.co/9cd1qbrU9M

Sep 13, 2021 · 6 likes · 5 shares · 180,968 followers View post →
Dave Roberts
@CDifficile1 · X

Mobile phones of paediatric hospital staff are never cleaned and commonly used in toilets with implications for healthcare nosocomial diseases https://t.co/nZe1RBcZHp #cdi #cdiff

Jul 7, 2022 · 1 like · 1 share · 436 followers View post →
Armando.
@Rodarmando · X

Un artículo muy interesante sobre cómo nuestro teléfono es un transporte de bacterias que afectan nuestra salud This article is very interesting on how the phone is a transport of bacteria https://t.co/SKfmnDg9ND

Sep 18, 2021 · 1 like · 284 followers View post →
Caroline Bowen, Speech-Language Pathologist
@speechwoman · X

⌚️DO YOU HAVE SEVEN MINUTES TO SPARE?⌚️

Sep 21, 2021 · 13,996 followers View post →
Wes Mountain
@therevmountain · X

I'm now somewhat horrified by the fact my phone follows me everywhere. We've been working on this video with @LottiTajouri for some time (held up, perhaps ironically, by waves of COVID), but it's so good to see it up. Give it a watch and clean your phones! https://t.co/mRyAUMIlxV

Sep 13, 2021 · 1 share · 3,639 followers View post →
Wes Mountain
@therevmountain · X

RT @ConversationEDU: Reading this on the toilet right now? 52% of hospital staff surveyed said they do the same. The problem: phones are ve…

Sep 13, 2021 · 5 shares · 3,639 followers View post →

All mentions

Environment Network Manawatū
@EnviroManawatu · X

Watch to find out the story behind Lotti's area of research, what he and is colleagues found on swabbed phones and advice about how we can keep our phones clean at home and in the workplace. https://t.co/4K0RdV9wkX

Jul 29, 2025 · 592 followers View post →
The Common Sense Toilet Seat Co- Airtight Sealing!
@TheCovidLid · X

RT @CDifficile1: Mobile phones of paediatric hospital staff are never cleaned and commonly used in toilets with implications for healthcare…

Dec 27, 2023 · 1 share · 1,133 followers View post →
Dave Roberts
@CDifficile1 · X

Mobile phones of paediatric hospital staff are never cleaned and commonly used in toilets with implications for healthcare nosocomial diseases https://t.co/nZe1RBcZHp #cdi #cdiff

Jul 7, 2022 · 1 like · 1 share · 436 followers View post →
Caroline Bowen, Speech-Language Pathologist
@speechwoman · X

⌚️DO YOU HAVE SEVEN MINUTES TO SPARE?⌚️

Sep 21, 2021 · 13,996 followers View post →
Armando.
@Rodarmando · X

Un artículo muy interesante sobre cómo nuestro teléfono es un transporte de bacterias que afectan nuestra salud This article is very interesting on how the phone is a transport of bacteria https://t.co/SKfmnDg9ND

Sep 18, 2021 · 1 like · 284 followers View post →
DeAnne Dunn
@erudite_rn · X

JBI_EI RT @ConversationEDU: Reading this on the toilet right now? 52% of hospital staff surveyed said they do the same. The problem: phones are vectors for disease. @BondUniversity molecular expert takes a look at the germs on our phones in our latest v… https://t.co/Ev0azpytLU

Sep 16, 2021 · 1,059 followers View post →
Wes Mountain
@therevmountain · X

RT @ConversationEDU: Reading this on the toilet right now? 52% of hospital staff surveyed said they do the same. The problem: phones are ve…

Sep 13, 2021 · 5 shares · 3,639 followers View post →
David Alcaïde
@DavidAlcaide · X

Clean your mobile phones! #FB #LI https://t.co/WbK5Xr5Xcw

Sep 13, 2021 · 752 followers View post →
Anthea Batsakis
@antheabatsakis · X

RT @ConversationEDU: Reading this on the toilet right now? 52% of hospital staff surveyed said they do the same. The problem: phones are ve…

Sep 13, 2021 · 5 shares · 873 followers View post →
John Peate
@JohnPeate5 · X

RT @ConversationEDU: Reading this on the toilet right now? 52% of hospital staff surveyed said they do the same. The problem: phones are ve…

Sep 13, 2021 · 5 shares · 1,476 followers View post →
The Conversation - Australia + New Zealand
@ConversationEDU · X

Reading this on the toilet right now? 52% of hospital staff surveyed said they do the same. The problem: phones are vectors for disease. @BondUniversity molecular expert takes a look at the germs on our phones in our latest video. https://t.co/9cd1qbrU9M

Sep 13, 2021 · 6 likes · 5 shares · 180,968 followers View post →
vegandamo
@vegan_damo · X

RT @MrDBurke: Eewwww Our mobile phones are covered in bacteria and viruses… and we never wash... https://t.co/ND6EeHU6Wz via @YouTube

Sep 13, 2021 · 1 share · 71 followers View post →
Mr Burke
@MrDBurke · X

Eewwww Our mobile phones are covered in bacteria and viruses… and we never wash... https://t.co/ND6EeHU6Wz via @YouTube

Sep 13, 2021 · 1 share · 66 followers View post →
Social Media News
@social_media___ · X

Our mobile phones are covered in bacteria and viruses… and we never wash them - The Conversation https://t.co/zokj6q1ZuA

Sep 13, 2021 · 1,943 followers View post →
Wes Mountain
@therevmountain · X

I'm now somewhat horrified by the fact my phone follows me everywhere. We've been working on this video with @LottiTajouri for some time (held up, perhaps ironically, by waves of COVID), but it's so good to see it up. Give it a watch and clean your phones! https://t.co/mRyAUMIlxV

Sep 13, 2021 · 1 share · 3,639 followers View post →
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