PREVALENCE, DETERMINANTS, AND CLINICAL CORRELATES OF NOROVIRUS GASTROENTERITIS AMONG CHILDREN IN PLATEAU STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Norovirus is a public health challenge, particularly among children. This study investigated the prevalence, determinants, and clinical correlates of norovirus infection among children aged five years and below in Plateau State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional design involving the collection of watery-stool samples from 200 children attending selected health facilities in the state. They were analyzed for norovirus using real-time polymerase chain reaction. After obtaining parental consent, a structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and risk-factor information regarding infection. The overall prevalence of norovirus was 8.5% (17/200). Infection occurred more in the males (12.0%) (p=0.106). The 20-29 months age group had the highest infection rate (16.0%) (p=0.596). Children in Plateau-North had a higher infection rate (19.2%) than in other zones. Children residing in urban areas had higher infection rates (17.9%) (OR=5.3, 95% CI=1.9-15.1, p=0.002). Children without fever and vomiting had rates of 12.4% and 10.2%, respectively, and there were no cases among those with these symptoms. Abdominal pain in children was higher (OR=12.4, 95% CI=2.8-55.8, p=0.001). Children who received hospitalization, unboiled water, tap water, and stream water appear to be more vulnerable, with 14.9% (p=0.021), 10.3% (p=0.162), 26.7% (p=0.001), and 38.5% (p=0.002), respectively. Infected children from parents with formal education had more infections (p=0.018). Analysis of the geno-group showed that Geno-group G1 was 4 (22.2%), while GII was 13 (77.8%). Treatment of drinking water is recommended to reduce disease transmission, and further epidemiological studies are advocated.