Prevalence of H. Influenzae among Under-Five Children Presenting At the Emergency Paediatric Unit (Epu) Of Two Teaching Hospitals in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Haemophilus influenzae is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in under-five children globally. It is also the leading cause of endemic bacterial meningitis in infants and young children. H. influenzae infection is severe where vaccine is not routinely used and one-third to one-half of the children either dies or suffers permanent disability such as deafness, paralysis or mental retardation. Objective: Therefore, this research set out to study and to determine the prevalence of H. influenzae in under- five children in Jos. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. One hundred and sixty consecutive under-five children who presented with signs and symptoms consistent with H. influenzae infection were recruited. Socio- demography data was obtained with structured questionnaire. Specimens were collected and carefully processed for isolation of H. influenzae. Results: The prevalence of H. influenzae was low in Jos with prevalence of 6.3% among 160 under-five children studied, with mean age of 34 months and M: F ratio of 1:1. About 60% of these isolates were obtained from patients with acute pyogenic bacterial meningitis and H. influenzae were isolated predominantly from children whose parents were Farmers and Artisans. Most of the isolates were biotype 1 and fifty percent of the isolates were serotype b. Conclusion: The outcome of this study can be used in the identification of H. influenzae and treatment of children with invasive H. influenzae infections in order to avoid complications.