Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41280557›Full record

ReviewEnvironmental health insights2025

Prevalence and genotype distribution of human norovirus infections in Ghana: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Wisdom K Ahiabor, Eric S Donkor

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Environmental health insights, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

2 authors.

Wisdom K AhiaborDepartment of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle Bu, Accra, Ghana.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1860-6248
Eric S DonkorDepartment of Medical Microbiology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle Bu, Accra, Ghana.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5179-546X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Noroviruses are significant contributors to acute gastroenteritis (AGE), accounting for 16% to 18% of AGE cases globally and resulting in an estimated 685 million illnesses and 210 000 deaths annually. Most fatalities occur in low-resource countries, particularly among young children and the elderly. Despite bearing the highest burden, low-resource countries often have limited data due to underreporting and inadequate surveillance systems. This systematic review aimed to assess the prevalence and genotype distribution of norovirus in Ghana, synthesising existing research to identify gaps and inform effective prevention strategies. Understanding the impact of norovirus in Ghana is vital for targeted interventions and enhancing public health responses, especially with advancing vaccine development. Method: This systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. The literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Google Scholar search engine using predefined search terms. Descriptive statistics and proportional meta-analysis utilising a random-effects model with a 95% confidence interval were employed in the data analysis. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) tool was used to evaluate the quality of reporting in the eligible studies. Result: This study analysed data from 7 articles, comprising a total of 3562 samples, with 722 confirmed norovirus-positive cases. Meta-analysis using a random-effects model revealed an overall prevalence of 14.8% (95% CI: 7.0%-22.6%). Genotype II was identified as the predominant genotype. Conclusion: This review and meta-analysis confirms that human norovirus is a significant public health burden in Ghana, particularly among children under five. However, the true burden is likely underestimated due to limited and geographically constrained surveillance. These findings emphasise the need for strengthened, systematic national surveillance and further research to fully define the epidemiology of norovirus in Ghana, which is essential for guiding effective evidence-based control interventions. It is also important to implement robust hygiene promotion measures to curb the transmission of norovirus in Ghana.

Indexed as

human norovirus infectionsNorovirusNorwalk virusviral gastroenteritis

Identifiers

PMID41280557
PMCPMC12639222

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.