Characteristics of Children Who Hospitalized by Gastroenteritis and Knowledge Level of Their Parents for Rotavirus Vaccinization

Abstract

Objective: Main purpose of the study is to evaluate characteristics of the hospitalized children in the pediatric service with the diagnosis of gastroenteritis and to assess their parents' knowledge and attitude related to rotavirus vaccination. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was carried out on parents of 142 children with gastroenteritis who were hospitalized in pediatric service during the period between September 2013 and May 2014. Demographic characteristics of the patients, socio-demographic characteristics of the parents and their knowledge and attitude related to rotavirus vaccination were included in the questionnaire. Results of rotavirus antigen test results were screened from the laboratory database. and p<0.05 was accepted as the level of statistical significance. Results: A total of 142 infants (male, 59.2, and female, 40.8%) in the age group of 1-48 months participated in the study. Acute gastroenteritis was seen most commonly in the age group of 7-12 months. Rotavirus antigen was found to be negative in 25.4% of participants. The most common co-existing complaints associated with diarrhea were vomiting (74.6%), and fever (34.5%). A total of 33.8 % of the patients had used antibiotics before they applied to the hospital, while 93% of them did not receive rotavirus vaccine. Among all participants in this study, 80.3% of them indicated that they hadn't applied for vaccination because they had not heard of it. Conclusion: Rotavirus is the microbial agent of most of the patients hospitalized for the treatment of gastroenteritis The most of the patients are were younger 24 months, and the most co-existing symptoms are vomiting and fever. The parents of the children who participated in our study were insufficiently informed about rotavirus vaccine, and they should be informed more often, and more effectively.