TITLE:
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Rotavirus Infection among Vaccinated Children Hospitalized for Acute Diarrhea in Mwanza City, Tanzania: A Cross Sectional Study
AUTHORS:
Dina Mahamba, Adolfine Hokororo, Florentina Mashuda, Delfina R. Msanga, Elice C. Bendera, Elizabeth N. Kwiyolecha, Benson R. Kidenya, Stephen E. Mshana, Mariam M. Mirambo
KEYWORDS:
Rotavirus, Vaccination, Diarrhea
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.10 No.3,
July
15,
2020
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Rotavirus infection is a leading cause of severe diarrhea culminating to dehydration
among children under five years of age. Understanding trends and factors that
could assist towards devising effective preventive strategies of Rotavirus
infection beyond vaccination is crucial. Objectives: This study was done
in an attempt to determine the prevalence and associated factors of Rotavirus
infection among vaccinated children aged between 6 weeks and 24 months admitted
with acute diarrhea Mwanza, Tanzania. Material and Methods: Across
sectional study involving vaccinated children aged 6 weeks to 24 months was
conducted in three selected hospitals from July 2017 to January 2018.
Socio-demographic and other relevant clinical information were collected using
a standardized data collection tool adopted from WHO Rotavirus surveillance
tool. Rotavirus infection from the stool was detected using an enzyme immunoassay.
Data were analyzed using STATA version 13. Results: A total of 301
vaccinated children with acute diarrhea with a median age of 12 [IQR: 8 - 17] months were enrolled. Nine (3.0%) and
292 (97.0%) had received one dose and two doses of Rotavirus vaccine,
respectively. The prevalence of Rotavirus infection was 74 (24.6%) [95% CI:
20.0 - 29.8]. Independent
predictors of Rotavirus infection were: dry season (OR 6.9; 95% CI: 2.9 - 16.0; p - 4.2; p = 0.043) and vomiting (OR 3.6; 95% CI 1.1 - 12.6; p = 0.045). Children with Rotavirus
infection had a significantly shorter hospital stay than those without
Rotavirus infection (3 [2 - 4]
days versus 3 [3 - 5] days; p = 0.0297). Conclusions: The prevalence of Rotavirus infection has declined among
vaccinated children in Mwanza, Tanzania with significant decrease in the hospital
stay. Dry seasons, three or more children indwelling in the same house and
vomiting were independent predictors of Rotavirus infection. There is a need to
sustain the coverage of rotavirus vaccination in low-income countries in order
to significantly reduce associated morbidity and mortality.