Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori Antibody Seropositivity among Medical Outpatients in a Tertiary Hospital
Abstract:
Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) infection is one of the most common chronic bacterial infections in humans causing dyspeptic symptoms as a result of gastroduodenal inflammation and ulcers. Prevalence ranges from 20% to 90% depending on geographic location, environmental and hygienic conditions. The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of H. Pylori infection among medical out-patients at the 34 Military Hospital. A systematic sampling was used to recruit 401 patients. We used a standardized questionnaire to collect socio-demographic, clinical details, and risk factors for dyspepsia from the study patients. H. Pylori rapid antibody test was used to determine H. Pylori seropositivity among the study patients. The prevalence of H. Pylori infection was 67.8%. Findings from our study showed no statistically significant association between gender, age, employment status, educational status, marital status and income level as risk factors for positive H. pylori antibodies (all P-values >0.05). There is a high burden of H. pylori infection among outpatients at the 34 Military hospital. However, there was no statistical correlation between H. pylori infection and the demographic or socio-economic profile of patients investigated. Further research in multiple hospitals investigating this critical public health issues is required.References:
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