Molecular Detection of Group A Rotavirus in Children under Five in Urban and Peri-urban Arusha, Tanzania

Background: Rotavirus gastroenteritis is the leading cause of severe diarrhea in children under the age of five years worldwide. However, very little information is available on Rotavirus status in Tanzania.

Aims: The project aimed at investigating Rotavirus infection in Tanzanian children to reflect prevalence post introduction of the Rotarix® virus, which occurred in late 2012.

Methods: The study considered prevalence in an urban and peri-urban context in Arusha, Tanzania for children under five. The study involved molecular detection of rotavirus in stool samples using PCR targeting Group A Rotavirus as well as a questionnaire to determine possible contributing factors, such as vaccination status, age, and exclusive breastfeeding to infection.

Results: Out of a total of 100 stool samples collected, 37% were positive for Rotavirus. The Fisher’s Exact Test was used to relate conventional PCR test results and various factors associated with Rotavirus positive samples. Household practices of boiling water, as well as parents’/guardians’ knowledge on the Rotavirus vaccine and child vaccination status were significantly (p<0.05) associated with Rotavirus infection.

Conclusion: The findings of this study should inform further studies to address the molecular epidemiology of the disease and associated risk factors. In this study we undertook surveillance for molecular detection and characterization of Rotavirus while considering the impact of prevention and control measures, such as vaccinations and uptake of safe practices (i.e., boiling water) on prevalence.