BMC Public Health (Apr 2017)

Prevalence of helicobacter pylori infection among children living in a rural setting in Sub-Saharan Africa

  • Yaw Asante Awuku,
  • David Larbi Simpong,
  • Ishmael Kunateh Alhassan,
  • Derek Anamaale Tuoyire,
  • Taiba Afaa,
  • Patrick Adu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4274-z
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 1
pp. 1 – 6

Abstract

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Abstract Background Helicobacter pylori infection affects more than half of the world’s population. It is generally acquired during childhood with no symptoms but has long- term clinical sequelae. This study estimated the prevalence of H. pylori infection amongst children in a rural environment in Africa. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study over a four (4)-month period within two rural communities. 240 asymptomatic children were tested using lateral flow immunochromatographic assay for the qualitative detection of H. pylori antigen in a fecal specimen. Statistical analysis and processing was done using Stata version 11. Results The mean age of the participants was 10.5 ± 2.7 years with the predominant age range being 8–10 years (34.6%), and a mean household size of 7.1 ± 1.7. The study population showed a female preponderance of 57.1%. 88% of the H. pylori positive children lacked pipe and borehole drinking water. All of the positive H. pylori children practiced open-air defecation. The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection among children in this study was at least 14.2%. Conclusion Our study demonstrated a high prevalence of H. pylori infection among children in a rural setting. Educational status of parents did not affect H. pylori prevalence but increasing household numbers, female gender, source of drinking water other than pipe and borehole, open-air defecation and younger age were associated with a higher H. pylori prevalence.

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