Abstract:

Introduction: Viral diarrhoea remains a major of morbidity and mortality among under five children before and after introduction of rotavirus vaccine in developing countries. Despite being common in countries there is dearth of information on patterns of enteric viruses causing diarrhoea and underlying factors. This study investigated viral pathogens implicated and associated factors contributing to under five children diarrhoea in Mwanza.

Methodology: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted in Mwanza from June 2017 to July 2018. Socio-demographic and other relevant information were collected. Stool samples were collected and analyzed using standard procedures to identify viral pathogens by using immunochromatographic test (CerTest Rota+Adeno+Astro+Noro). Data were analysed using STATA version 13 software.

Findings: A total of 224 participants were enrolled with median age (IQR) 14 (8-22.5) months. The overall proportion of children under five years of age with confirmed viral diarrhoea was 38% (85/224), with predominance of Rotavirus 66% (66/100). Children with underlying co-morbid (p<0.001) were significantly associated with laboratory confirmed viral diarrhoea.

Conclusion and recommendations: Out of 100 under five children with diarrhoea, 38 had viral attributable diarrhoea with predominance of Rotavirus in two third of cases. There is a need for continuous surveillance of circulating Rotavirus strains by relevant authorities since majority of these children were vaccinated, and evaluation of the Rota vaccine efficacy.