Abstract

Background: Viral gastroenteritis is still a major public health challenge in the Sub-Sahara Africa, with Rotavirus and Adenovirus as the leading causes of acute gastroenteritis among children.  Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Rotavirus and Adenovirus coinfection and associated risk factors among apparently healthy school aged children with history of diarrhea in Ilishan-Remo community of Ogun State, Nigeria. Study Design:  This is a descriptive-epidemiological survey. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria, between March and May, 2019.  Methodology: A total of 60 children (24 males and 36 females) were recruited and their stool samples were examined using the SD Bioline Rota/Adeno virus antigen rapid test kits (Standard Diagnostics, INC., South-Korea) according to the manufacturer’s instruction. The demographic and clinical information of the participants were collected using structured questionnaires. Results: Three, 3 (5.0%) out of the 60 participants screened, were mono-infected with Rotavirus, 2 (3.3%) were mono-infected with Adenovirus, while only 1 (1.7%) of them was co-infected with both Rotavirus and Adenovirus. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the prevalence of mono/co-infection with Rotavirus and Adenovirus among the study participants on the basis of age and gender. Lack of knowledge of Rotavirus and Adenovirus, history of diarrhea, eating of raw unwashed fruits and vegetables, poor hand hygiene after playing with toys and peers, and lack of regular medical check-up are some of the risk factors identified in this study. Conclusion: The outcome of this study shows that mono/co-infection with Rotavirus and Adenovirus exist among apparently healthy school aged children with history of diarrhea in IlishanRemo community of Ogun State, Nigeria with a prevalence rate of 5.0%, 3.3% and 1.7%, respectively. Appropriate public health measures must therefore be taken to halt the cycle of infection in the community to forestall possible outbreak in the future.