To describe climate related risk factors for moderate and severe rotavirus diarrhea in children less than 24 months of age in a case-comparison hospital-based study. The hospital serves 80 to 90% of the population. A weather station collected climate information. Two sets of compeers were used, one without diarrhea and one with diarrhea. The selection of diarrhea subjects was done using systematic sampling, whereas non-diarrhea subjects were selected randomly from the population seeking care at this hospital. Of the 408 patients hospitalized with moderate to severe diarrhea 104 where selected, and of those, 39% had rotavirus. A seasonal pattern was observed in the prevalence of rotavirus diarrhea, with maximum peak during December-January and lowest prevalence during April-June. Although no individual climate conditions were related to the occurrence of rotavirus diarrhea, a complex interplay of climate variables exists. An inverse relationship of cases to non-diarrhea compeers for temperature (OR 0.5) and humidity (OR 0.8), and a positive relationship with rainy conditions (OR 4.1), increased temperature differential during the day (OR 1.4) and dew point (OR 2.3) after controlling for mutual confounding. Studies are needed to clarify seasonal characteristics, and the mechanism of transmission of the virus. The findings could help planning at the local level in terms of hospital needs. Furthermore, if a vaccine becomes available, the understanding of the seasonal behavior of the virus is useful for planning effective vaccination times given that routine vaccination schedules are not complied with and immunization campaigns are the most common method of applying vaccines in this area.
Learning Objectives: - The seasonality of diarrhea due to Rotavirus infection - Climate related variables that influence the seasonal patterns of diarrhea due to Rotavirus
Keywords: Diarrhea, Children's Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.