Prevalence and risk factors of Astrovirus gastroenteritis in children in Offa, Kwara State, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Astroviruses are small non-enveloped, single stranded, positive RNA viruses belonging to the family astroviridae. Gastroenteritis constitute the main causes of morbidity and mortality among pediatric population world wide. Common symptons of astrovirus include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Human astroviruses are transmitted by contact with infected individuals and formited, followed by the ingestion of contaminated food and water. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factor of astrovirus in children in offa, kwara state, North central, Nigeria. Methods : A cross-sectional study design using random sampling technique. Three hundred (300) consented children with diarrhea were recruited into the study. Stool samples of each children were examined for the presence of astrovirus using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique with commercially available astrovirus kit (BIOTUVA UK). Results:This study reported an overall prevalence of 31.3%. astrovirus infection among children with gastroenteritis in Offa, Kwara state, North Central, Nigeria, with majority of the children positive for astrovirus were within the age of 4-5 years (36.2%), followed by those within the age of 2-3 years (34.0%) and the least found in age group 0-1 year (29.8%), 54(57.4%) of the children positive for astrovirus were male and 40 (42.6%) were female. Age and gender were not statistically significant while place of residence and risk factors were statistically significant, which could be as a result of un-hygienic environment. Conclusion:This study provides a base line data necessary for the formulation of state and national health policies in mitigating the impact of viral diarrhea, an ubiquitous disease of childhood. Hence, community and hospital- based surveillance are needed tp provide an estimate of astrovirus burden in Nigeria.