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

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.

Keywords: Children and Ghana; H.pylori infection; Immune chromatographic assay; Prevalence.

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Source: PubMed

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