Date of Award

January 2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

School of Public Health

First Advisor

Virginia Pitzer

Abstract

Rotavirus is a major cause of severe gastroenteritis and hospitalizations in children under five, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Accurate country-specific estimates of hospitalization probability for rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) are critical for vaccine policy and cost-effectiveness modeling but are often lacking in LMIC-specific settings. This study synthesized data from 22 studies in 112 LMICs, including both hospital- and community-based studies, to estimate the probability of hospitalization among children with RVGE. Using random-effects model, the probability of hospitalization among hospital-based RVGE cases was 72% (95% CI: 0.45, 0.89), while only 13% (95% CI: 0.02, 0.57) of community-based RVGE cases were hospitalized. Results varied widely by region and study type, reflecting substantial heterogeneity. With refinements to the search, screening, and extraction methods, this study can provide more accurate, country-specific inputs for vaccine impact and economic models in LMICs, supporting better-informed immunization strategies and policy decisions.

Comments

This thesis is restricted to Yale network users only. It will be made publicly available on 06/16/2027

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