Protective Effect Of Rotavirus Immunization In Acute Diarhea Due To Rotavirus Infection A Prospective Cohort Study

ABSTRACT Open access: www.balimedicaljournal.org and ojs.unud.ac.id/index.php/bmj Protective effect of rotavirus immunization in acute diarrhea due to rotavirus infection: a prospective cohort study Anak Agung Wiwin Indayani*, I Putu Gede Karyana, Made Gd. Dwi Lingga Utama, I Gusti Lanang Sidiartha, Ida Bagus Subanada, AA Ketut Putra Widnyana Background: Diarrhea is a life-threatening disease for children. In Indonesia, the incidence of rotavirus infection was 67% of all cases of acute diarrhea. Immunization is an effort that can be done to prevent acute diarrhea due to rotavirus infection. Rotarix® vaccine is expected to have protective effect against acute diarrhea due to rotavirus infection. This study aims to investigate the protective effect of immunization against rotavirus on the incidence of acute diarrhea in children due to rotavirus infection. Methods: This was an analytical study using prospective cohort approach in private pediatric clinics in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia. Participants include one-hundred children aged 6 months was divided into two groups, i.e. vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups, each consisting of 50 children. Incidence of acute diarrhea in both groups were measured and subsequent statistical analyses were conducted to determine contributing factors for the protective effect of rotavirus vaccine against acute diarrhea. Results: The incidence of rotavirus infection in vaccinated children was 6%, compared to 24% in the non-vaccinated children. There was significant association between vaccination status and the incidence of acute diarrhea due to rotavirus infection (p value=0.012). The probability of acute diarrhea due to rotavirus infection in both groups were 15% and 52% for the vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups, respectively. The relative risk reduction of acute diarrhea due to rotavirus infection is 71% [RR=0.288; 95% CI (52% -82%)]. Conclusions: Immunization against rotavirus infection has a statistically significant protective effect against acute diarrhea due to rotavirus infection.