Identification of rotavirus infection during diarrhoea outbreaks among children under five years of age in Lampung, Indonesia

This study aimed to estimate the proportion of rotavirus infection during a diarrhoea outbreak among children under five years of age and to investigate the possible risk factors causing rotavirus diarrhoea. A cross-sectional study was conducted during the September-December 2016 and June-July 2018 periods. Stool samples and socio-demographic characteristics were collected from inpatients and outpatients aged less than five years with diarrhoea. Identification of rotavirus by an immunochromatography test and polymerase chain reaction was carried out with the immunochromatography dipstick method, Eiken Rota stick and Taq PCR Master Mix kit. The proportion of rotavirus infection was 74.3%. The proportion of rotavirus infection was higher in male as compared with female patients. The highest infection rate was identified in children under 2 years of age. There was no statistically significant difference in breastfeeding history and socio-economic status between the rotavirus-positive and -negative groups. In conclusion, the proportion of rotavirus infection was high among children aged less than five years with acute diarrhoea in Lampung, Indonesia.