title: Epidemiology of rotavirus diarrhea among children younger than 5 years in Enugu, South East, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Severe rotavirus diarrhea in children is a major cause of morbidity globally and mortality in developing countries. It is estimated to be responsible for >453,000 deaths in children <5 years of age globally and 232,000 in the African region. The aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence of rotavirus gastroenteritis among hospitalized children <5 years of age in Enugu and to support awareness and advocacy efforts for the introduction of rotavirus vaccines in Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  World Health Organization-standardized case forms were used to collect data from eligible children with non-bloody diarrhea from October 2010 to September 2012. Data collected included socio-demographic and clinical information. Stool samples were obtained from recruited children and tested for rotavirus antigen using the Oxoid Prospect ELISA Kit (Basingstoke, United Kingdom).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 615 diarrhea stool samples collected, 344 (56%) were positive for human rotavirus. Of the 344 positive samples, 329 (96%) were children <2 years of age, while 247 (77%) were <1 year of age. Peak rotavirus season occurred during the cold dry months of December to April during which 95% of all cases occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study found a relatively high incidence of severe rotavirus-associated diarrhea disease in Nigeria and infants were the most affected. It highlights the urgent need for introduction of rotavirus vaccine into the national immunization program and the need to adequately equip health facilities to enable them administer intravenous fluids to severe diarrhea patients to reduce morbidity and mortality.
authors.affiliation: From the *Institute of Child Health, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria; †World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO/AFRO), Brazzaville, Republic of Congo; ‡Nuguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana; §Department of Paediatrics; ¶Department of Microbiology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu State; ‖Department of Pediatrics; ††Department of Microbiology, Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria; **Mother of Christ Specialist Hospital; ‡‡World Health Organization Country Office for Nigeria (WCO); §§National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja; and ¶¶Depatment of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Beckie N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Tagbo
authors.forename: Jason M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mwenda
authors.forename: George
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authors.lastname: Armah
authors.forename: Egbuna O
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authors.lastname: Obidike
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authors.lastname: Okafor
authors.forename: Tagbo
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authors.lastname: Oguonu
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authors.initials: UC
authors.lastname: Ozumba
authors.forename: Christopher B
authors.initials: CB
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authors.forename: Chinedu
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authors.lastname: Chukwubuike
authors.forename: Benedict O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Edelu
authors.forename: Bertilla U
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authors.lastname: Ezeonwu
authors.forename: Oge
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authors.lastname: Amadi
authors.forename: Ifeyinwa B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Okeke
authors.forename: Okechukwu R
authors.initials: OR
authors.lastname: Nnani
authors.forename: Okechukwu S
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Ani
authors.forename: Ikechukwu
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ugwuezeonu
authors.forename: Chioma
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authors.lastname: Benjamin-Pujah
authors.forename: Nkem
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authors.lastname: Umezinne
authors.forename: Nelson
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authors.forename: Chimezie
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authors.lastname: Nwodo
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ezeonyebuchi
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Umesie
authors.forename: Vina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Okafor
authors.forename: Ngozi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ogude
authors.forename: Vivian O
authors.initials: VO
authors.lastname: Osarogborum
authors.forename: Simon K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ezebilo
authors.forename: Weldegebriel G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Goitom
authors.forename: Emmanuel A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Abanida
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Elemuwa
authors.forename: Douglas F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Nwagbo
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy