Table 2.
Clinical characteristics of diarrheic children < 5 years old, North West Region, Cameroon
| Characteristic | No. Tested | Rotavirus positive | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Condition | |||
| Normal | 18 | 8 | 5.2 |
| Ill | 403 | 103 | 67.3 |
| Very ill | 112 | 42 | 27.5 |
| Mental status | - | - | |
| Normal | 334 | 96 | 62.7 |
| Irritable | 59 | 15 | 9.8 |
| Drowsy/lethargic | 140 | 42 | 27.5 |
| Fever | 389 | 121 | 79.1 |
| Vomiting | 389 | 129 | 84.3 |
| Mean freq. Of vomiting * | 2.9 | 3.5 | - |
| Mean freq. Of diarrheic stool * | 5.7 | 6.6 | - |
| Dehydration | 213 | 100 | 65.4 |
| Hospitalized | 277 | 107 | 69.9 |
| Stool consistency | |||
| Watery | 218 | 96 | 62.7 |
| Loose | 295 | 55 | 35.9 |
| Normal | 21 | 2 | 1.3 |
| Drinking water source | |||
| Spring | 271 | 81 | 54.5 |
| Pipe borne | 263 | 70 | 45.5 |
| Mothers education | |||
| Up to primary school | 387 | 112 | 73.2 |
| Secondary and above | 147 | 41 | 73.2 |
*
On worst day of symptom