ROTAVIRUS VACCINE COVERAGE AND ITS CONTRIBUTION IN REDUCING DIARRHOEA AMONG CHILDREN UNDER FIVE YEARS IN THE WA MUNICIPALITY

Abstract

The burden of diarrheal diseases among children is by far more in low and middleincome countries where it is the second leading cause of deaths in children under 5 years. In Ghana, it is among the leading cause of childhood morbidity and mortality where it counts for 10% of deaths. The purpose of this study is to determine the contributions of rotavirus vaccine in reducing diarrhoea among children under-five years in the Wa municipality.The study was a cross sectional design ,retrospective and prospective (secondary data) analysis of secondary data on the trends of rotavirus vaccine coverage and diarrhoea prevalence.Multi stage sampling technique whereby 6 health facilities were selected purposefully. Three hundred and ninety-six respondents were selected systematically. Structured questionnaire was used to obtained the quantitave data. SPSS version 22.0 was used to analyzed the data. Pearson‟s chi-square test (p<0.05) and marginal effect with corresponding 95% confidence interval were used to establish the association between the dependent variables and independent variables.It was found that, more than 90% coverage of rotavirus vaccination among children under-five years of age with some disparities in rota 1 and rota 2. The results showed that children who took two doses had less diarrhoea infection than those who took the rotavirus vaccination only once. Prevalence of diarrhoea cases however, was found to be higher than immunization coverage. Rotavirus vaccination had led to a dramatic reduction in diarrhoea among children who have taken the complete dose. The study therefore strongly advocate for households‟ awareness creation through public education on the need to have a complete dosage of rotavirus vaccination, and also ensuring adequate sanitation.