Microbial Agents and Associated Factors of Persistent Diarrhoea in Children Less Than 5 Years of Age in Edo State, Nigeria

Background: Persistent diarrhoea is a major health problem for children in developing countries.

Aims: This study was carried out to assess the microbial agents of persistent diarrhoea as well as other associated factors of infection.

Methodology: Faecal and blood samples were collected from children less than 5 years of age with persistent diarrhoea in Edo State, Nigeria. The faecal specimens were processed using standard microbiological methods while the blood specimens were processed for malaria parasites using staining technique.

Results: The overall results showed a prevalence of 42(25.1%). Single infection was 37(22.2%) while mixed infection had 5(3.0%). Rotavirus was the most prevalent microbial agent (23.4%), followed by cryptosporidium species (14.9%). Sex and age did not show statistical significance (P>0.05). The effects of associated factors of infection on diarrhoeal patients was not statistically significant (P>0.05), although, undernourished, low socioeconomic status and not breastfeeding children had higher rates of infection than their counterparts.

Conclusion: Persistent diarrhoea is not uncommon in this locality since the prevalence rate was 25.1% Thus, preventive measures should be put in place to address the associated factors of persistent diarrhoea in order to minimize the reoccurrence of the infection.