Prevalence and factors associated with rotavirus infection among children admitted with acute diarrhea in Uganda.
BACKGROUND
Rotavirus remains the commonest cause of severe dehydrating diarrhea among children worldwide. Children in developing countries die more because of several factors including poorer access to hydration therapy and greater prevalence of malnutrition. Hitherto, the magnitude of rotavirus disease in Uganda has remained unknown. This study was therefore done to determine the prevalence and factors associated with rotavirus infection among children aged 3-59 months admitted with acute diarrhea to paediatric emergency ward of Mulago Hospital, Uganda


METHODS
Three hundred and ninety children, aged between 3-59 months with acute diarrhoea were recruited. The clinical history, socio-demographic characteristics, physical examination findings and laboratory investigations were recorded. Stool samples were tested for rotavirus antigens using the DAKO IDEIA rotavirus EIA detection kit.


RESULTS
The prevalence of rotavirus infection was 45.4%. On multivariate analysis rotavirus was significantly associated with a higher education (above secondary) level of the mother [OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.1-2.7]; dehydration [OR 1.8; 95% CI 1.1-3.0] and breastfeeding [OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.4-4.0]. Although age was significantly associated with rotavirus on bivariate analysis; this association disappeared on multivariate analysis. No significant association was found between rotavirus infection and nutritional status, HIV status and attendance of day care or school.


CONCLUSIONS
Rotavirus infection is highly prevalent among children with acute diarrhoea admitted to Mulago Hospital in Uganda.
Nakawesi
Jane S
JS
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P O Box 7072 Kampala, Uganda. nakawesijane@gmail.com
Wobudeya
Eric
E
Ndeezi
Grace
G
Mworozi
Edison A
EA
Tumwine
James K
JK
D000208:Acute Disease; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology