Prevalence and Predictors of Rotavirus Infection among Children Aged 0-5 Years with Gastroenteritis in 2 Selected Healthcare Centres in Keffi, Nigeria

Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of Rotavirus infection among children aged 0-5 years with gastroenteritis in 2 selected healthcare centres in Keffi, Nigeria. Study Design: The study was a cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Keffi, Nasarawa State, between March and June 2019. Methodology: 303 stool samples (203 from FMC Keffi and 100 from PHC Angwan Waje, Keffi) were collected from children with gastroenteritis and information about them were obtained by structured questionnaires. All collected samples were screened for the presence of Rotavirus antigen using Aria Rotavirus antigen detection test kit (CTK Biotech, Inc, San Diego, USA). Data collected were analysed using Smith’s Statistical Package (version 2.8, California, USA) and P value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 303 children with gastroenteritis majority of who were males (157/303) aged 0-12 months (153/303) were screened. Of them, 54(17.8%) tested positive for Rotavirus infection of which 41(20.2%) were from FMC Keffi while the remaining 13(13.0%) were from PHC Angwan Waje, Keffi. Highest prevalence of the viral infection was recorded among males (19.7%) of 0-12 months of age (24.8%). Gender, source of water, exclusive breastfeeding, vomiting and diarrhea episodes (per day) were predictors of Rotavirus infection in this study (P<0.05). However, age, day care attendance and stool appearance were not significantly associated with the viral infection (P>0.05). Conclusion: This study reveals the presence of Rotavirus infection in the study population. Therefore, there is need to include Rotavirus infection in the differential diagnosis of infantile gastroenterites to avoid misdiagnosis and mistreatment. There is also the need to include Rotavirus vaccine in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in Nigeria so as to protect children aged 0-5 years from rotavirus induced diarrhea.