| dc.description.abstract | Purpose: Rotavirus has been identified as the most
common pathogen associated with severe diarrhoea.
Rotavirus infection is the leading cause of diarrhea in
children under five and it is highly contagious. It
poses an exception to typical diarrheal disease
management rules. While improved access to clean
water and better sanitation and hygiene practices are
vital to preventing most diarrheal diseases, they have
done little to disrupt infection. The virus may cause
severe, dehydrating diarrhea in young children and, in
untreated cases, lead to death. The aim of this study
is to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices
regarding Rotavirus Prevention and its vaccination
among medical workers in Rukiga district
Methodology: A total of 263 health workers were
selected through random sampling. A structured and
validated questionnaire was used. Questions about
knowledge, attitude and practices were collected and
verified on scale. Descriptive statistics were
presented; multivariable regression analysis was done
to determine the correlation of knowledge, attitude
level, and practices with socio demographic variables
such as age, sex and education. The p value≤0.05
considered was statistically significant.
Findings: 118(47.14%) had adequate knowledge,
164(66.138%) positive attitude and 102(41.1%)
appropriate practices on the Rotavirus diarrhoea prevention. Knowledge, attitude level and practices
were increased significantly with increasing age, sex
and education. After controlling for variables in the
multivariable regression model, age, sex and
education were the significant factors in determining
the scores on knowledge, attitude and practices.
About the knowledge. Age (β=4.15, p<0.001), sex
(β=3.012, p=0.001) and education level (β=14.04,
p<0.038), then attitude, age (β=4.32, p<0.001), sex
(β=0.015, p=0.003) and education level (β=0.021,
p<0.001) while for practices, age (β=0.021, p<0.001).
Similarly, sex (β=0.022, p<0.001), education level
(β=0.136, p=0.006). Generally, there was inadequate
knowledge, positive attitude and inappropriate
practices amongst the respondents on Rotavirus
diarrhoea prevention in Rukiga District.
Recommendations: Rukiga District needs to train,
mentor and coach the health workers on prevention of
Rotavirus including vaccination in order to have
increased knowledge level, positive attitude and
appropriate actions | en_US |
