Prevalence of nosocomial rotavirus infection in hospitalized children in Benin City, Nigeria

A total of 1496 stool samples from 445 children admitted into the paediatric wards of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City between November 1989 and April 1990 were examined for the presence of rotavirus antigen. The total prevalence of rotavirus infection in this study was 28.1% (125 in 445). Fifty-four (12.1%) of the 445 children had nosocomial rotavirus infection: 22 (9.6%) of the 230 children (neonates, infants and young children) who had diarrhoea and 32 (14.9%) of the 215 children (neonates, infants and young children) who had no diarrhoea. The importance of maintaining strict hygiene in hospital wards cannot be overemphasized.