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Author(s): Izevbuwa Osazee Ekundayo, Rachel Okojie.

Volume/Issue: Volume 7 , Issue 1 (2024)

Abstract:

Rotaviruses are one of the vital causative agents of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in young children worldwide. This study aimed to present socio-demographic, clinical features and risk factors of gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus in diarrheic children living in Edo State, Nigeria. This study was done using a descriptive cross-sectional survey of AGE in 400 participants (diarrheic children less than 5 years) admitted to four hospitals in Edo State, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and clinical information from study participants. Rotavirus antigen in stool samples collected from the study participants was detected by the immunochromatographic method. Twenty (5.0%) tested positive for rotavirus antigen out of the 400 stool samples examined. A large proportion of the participants were aged one year (24.3%). A large percentage of the participants were exposed to exclusive breastfeeding (94.8%) while 33.5% of this group were exclusively breastfed for a period ranging from 3 to 6 months. Blood and mucous were present in the stool of 66.5% and 74.5% of participants, respectively. Age and exclusive breastfeeding of the participants were the main factors that were associated with the risk of acquiring rotavirus infection. No significant association was observed between the socio-demographic characteristics of the parents/caregivers of the study participants and rotavirus infection. This study shows a significant decline in the incidence of rotavirus infection among children less than 5 years in Edo State, Nigeria; thus, suggesting that the risk of acquiring rotavirus infection might be abating in this age group in Edo State.

Keywords:

Risk factors, Rotavirus, Gastroenteritis, Children less than 5 years, Prevalence.

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