Open AccessSeroprevalence, risk factors and comorbidities associated with Helicobacter pylori infection amongst children receiving care at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center
Author(s) -
Amos Msekandiana,
Levina Msuya,
Rune Philemon,
Blandina T Mmbaga,
Grace Kinabo
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
african health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.391
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1729-0503
pISSN - 1680-6905
DOI - 10.4314/ahs.v19i4.44
Subject(s) - seroprevalence , medicine , helicobacter pylori , odds ratio , serology , cross sectional study , confidence interval , logistic regression , diabetes mellitus , gastritis , gastroenterology , immunology , antibody , endocrinology , pathology
Background: Helicobacter pylori frequently causes gastritis and peptic ulcers, and affected children are at risk of developing gastric carcinoma later in adulthood.Methods: This was a Hospital based cross sectional study. A total of 200 children aged 6 months to 14 years were enrolled. Study subjects were tested for H. pylori using a standard serology rapid test measuring immunoglobulin G for H. pylori. For risk factors, Chi-square tests were used to test for association and then, odds ratios and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals and p-values were computed using logistic regression.Results: The overall seroprevalence of H. pylori was 11.5%. The following factors were associated with H. pylori infection: Age group above 10 years, keeping a dog and household size. The independent predictors of H. pylori were: Fathers’ occupation, keeping a dog, indoor tap water, age group, household size and diabetes mellitus type 1.Conclusion: The seroprevalence of H. pylori antibodies was lower compared to most developing countries. Keeping a dog, household size, indoor tap water, fathers’ occupation and diabetes mellitus type 1 were found to be independent predictors of presence of H. pylori antibodies.Keywords: Helicobacter Pylori.