| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: Diarrhea is the second leading cause of child mortality worldwide and a major problem in developing countries. Though precise data on childhood mortality associated with diarrheal diseases in Uganda is not available, it has been estimated that 19,700 children under 5 years die each year from diarrhea. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of bacterial pathogens causing acute diarrhea in children under 5 years and identify the associated risk factors.
Materials and methods: A total of 113 children under 5 years with acute diarrhea in Kisenyi HCIV and Komamboga HCIV were enrolled between January and April 2014. Fecal specimens for culture were sent to Central Public Health Laboratories and cultured on conventional media. The organisms were identified by different biochemical tests and confirmed by serotyping. The bacteria identified were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test using Kirby-Bauer‟s disc diffusion method.
Results: The prevalence of bacterial enteric pathogens was 23.9% (27/113). The prevalence was greatest in the age group 10 – 29 months (14.2%). Major pathogenic organisms isolated were Escherichia coli 11 (9.7%), Shigella flexneri 7(6.2%), Salmonella typhi 1(0.9%), Salmonella paratyphi 4(3.5%), Shigella boydii 1(0.9%), Shigella dysentriae 2(1.8%) and Enterobacter species 1 (0.9%). Ciprofloxacin (85.2%) was the most sensitive antibiotic followed by Chloramphenical (37%). Among the isolates, 88.9% were resistance to Ampicillin and Sulphamethoxazole, 96.3% resistant to Tetracycline and 85.2% resistant to Nalidixic Acid.
The major predisposing factors to enteric bacteria in children under 5 years were; Children drinking un treated water; not exclusively breastfed, not washing hands before eating and after visiting toilet and Children fed on leftover food.
Conclusion: The prevalence of bacterial enteric pathogens was 23.9% in the under 5 year children. Commonly isolated pathogens were Escherichia coli and Shigella species. Therefore awareness on prevention of infectious diseases and efforts to improve personal and domestic hygiene should be encouraged.
Keywords: diarrhea, bacteria enteric pathogens, children under five. | en_US |
