Abstract

MANRIQUE-ABRIL, Fred G; BILLON Y TIGNE, Diane; BELLO, Sandra E  and  OSPINA, Juan M. Diarrhoea-causing agents in children aged less than five in Tunja, Colombia. Rev. salud pública [online]. 2006, vol.8, n.1, pp.88-97. ISSN 0124-0064.

objectives Determining the prevalence and type of infectious ADD-causing agents in a sample of children aged less than five who consulted the IPS in Tunja during 2004. Material and Methods A cross-sectional study was designed. Data was obtained by surveying 129 children younger than 5 suffering from ADD. Samples of faeces were obtained following outpatient consultation at San Rafael Hospital and SaludCoop’s clinic in Tunja. Results Rotavirus was found in 48,1 % of cases, Shigella in 0,8 %, E. coli in 13,9 %, Campylobacter in 2,3 %, Giardia lamblia in 12,4 % and E. hitolytica in 7 %. The causative agent could not be identified in 15,5 % of cases. The statistical association grew with age for Rotavirus (p0.01), E. coli (p<0.05) and campylobacter (p<0.001). ConclusionRotavirus is the major causative agent of ADD in children younger than one year and, generally, in children aged less than five. The prevalence found was similar to data reported in studies carried out in Facatatativá, Bogotá, Santander, Manizales and the Chocó in Colombia and studies carried out in Venezuela, Peru and Mexico.

Keywords : Diarrhea; rotavirus; public health; communicable disease.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )