Subjects’ Sociodemographics Influence the Transmission Patterns of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Pathotypes among Children under 5 Years in Nakuru County

Abstract

Background: Diarrheagenic Escherichiacoli (DEC) infections constitute the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, little has so far been done to properly reveal the pathogenic endowments of DEC in these populations.

Aims and Objectives: We evaluated 4 DEC strains among children under 5 years.

Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed among 384 positive cases.

Results: There was a significant decline in infections associated with DEC as the children grew older (χ2[12] = 87.366: P = [0.000]. A total of 56 (14.6%) cases were 0–12 months, 168 (43.8%) were 13–24 months, 88 (22.9%) were 25–36 months, 40 (10.4%) were 37–48 months, and 32 (8.3%) were 49–60 months. A total of 248 (64.6%) male subjects exhibited more susceptibility to DEC infections than their female counterparts (n = 136 [35.4%]) (χ2[3] =13.313: P = [0.004]. Subjects from urban areas (n = 248 [64.6%]), significantly bored the brunt of infections than those from rural areas (n = 136 [35.4%]) (χ2[3] = 35.147: P = [0.000]. The prevalence of DEC appeared significantly higher during rainy seasons (n = 269 [70.1%]).

Conclusion: Young age, male gender, crowding, and rainy season play a central role in the transmission of DEC pathotypes.