Stool antigen-based detection of Helicobacter pylori, knowledge and associated factors among patients with suspected gastrointestinal disorders at the Buea Regional Hospital
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20262162Keywords:
Prevalence, Knowledge, Risk factors, Helicobacter pylori, CameroonAbstract
Background: Helicobacter pylori, the most common bacterial infection worldwide, has become a global health issue, with an estimated half of the population exposed to infection. H. pylori is classified as a class I carcinogen and is the most common bacterium that colonizes the stomach predominantly in childhood, accounting for approximately 89% of H. pylori infections. This study assessed the prevalence of H. pylori infection, knowledge, and associated risk factors among patients at the Buea Regional Hospital.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 180 selected participants. Data were collected through the administration of an interviewer-administered questionnaire designed using Epi Info (version 7.2.5.0). Descriptive statistics are presented as frequencies and percentages.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 40.81 years (standard deviation = 16.85). Among the 180 participants included in this study, 47% (96) were infected with H. pylori. More than half 60% (108) of the participants had good knowledge about H. pylori infection. Employed individuals had a lower risk of infection (aOR=0.37; 95% CI: 0.15-0.934; p=0.035). Compared with people with a tertiary education, those who attended secondary education had greater odds of infection (aOR=1.12, 95% CI: 1.033, 3.313; p<0.001). Individuals who used drugs regularly without a prescription had higher odds of infection (aOR=3.25; 95% CI: 1.118-9.46; p=0.03). alcoholic drinkers had lower odds of infection than does who did (aOR=0.48; 95% CI: 0.176-0.759; p=0.017). Those who used flushing toilets were less likely to have infection than those who used pit toilets were (aOR=0.23; 95% CI: 0.083-0.65; p=0.005).
Conclusions: The results of the current study in a resource-limited environment revealed a high prevalence of H. pylori, which was driven mainly by socioeconomic, behavioural and environmental factors. Specific measures based on education, hygiene and antimicrobial management are essential to minimize the burden of infections and their potential complications.
References
Ren S, Cai P, Liu Y, Wang T, Zhang Y, Li Q, et al. Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in China: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022;37(3):464-70.
Narayanan M, Reddy KM, Marsicano E. Peptic ulcer disease and Helicobacter pylori infection. Missouri Medi. 2018;115(3):219.
Sripa B, Deenonpoe R, Brindley PJ. Coinfections with liver fluke and Helicobacter species: A paradigm change in pathogenesis of opisthorchiasis and cholangiocarcinoma?. Parasitol Inter. 2017;66(4):383-9.
Khoder G, Muhammad JS, Mahmoud I, Soliman SS, Burucoa C. Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and its associated factors among healthy asymptomatic residents in the United Arab Emirates. Pathogens. 2019;8(2):44.
Yeh JM, Kuntz KM, Ezzati M, Goldie SJ. Exploring the cost‐effectiveness of Helicobacter pylori screening to prevent gastric cancer in China in anticipation of clinical trial results. Int J Cancer. 2009;124(1):157-66.
Zhu Y, Zhou X, Wu J, Su J, Zhang G. Risk factors and prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in persistent high incidence area of gastric carcinoma in Yangzhong city. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2014;2014(1):481365.
Mohammad MA, Hussein L, Coward A, Jackson SJ. Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among Egyptian children: impact of social background and effect on growth. Publ Heal Nutrit. 2008;11(3):230-6.
Andoulo FA, Ngatcha G, Tagni-Sartre M, Sida MB, Ndam EN. Helicobacter pylori infection and peptic ulcer disease in children and adolescents from the age range of 6 to 18 years old in Yaounde (Cameroon). Heal Sci Dis. 2015;16(4).
Shi R, Xu S, Zhang H, Ding Y, Sun G, Huang X, Chen X, Li X, Yan Z, Zhang G. Prevalence and risk factors for Helicobacter pylori infection in Chinese populations. Helicobacter. 2008;13(2):157-65.
Driscoll LJ, Brown HE, Harris RB, Oren E. Population knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding Helicobacter pylori transmission and outcomes: a literature review. Fronti Publ Heal. 2017;5:144.
Shafiq H, Zafar I, Shafiq S. A systematic review on current trends of socioeconomic disparities and Helicobacter pylori associated risk factors. Res Med Sci Rev. 2024;2(3):1732-48.
Hooi JK, Lai WY, Ng WK, Suen MM, Underwood FE, Tanyingoh D, et al. Global prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection: systematic review and meta-analysis. Gastroenterol. 2017;153(2):420-9.
Abongwa LE, Samje M, Antoine KS, Alberic S, Elvis M, Benardette L, et al. Knowledge, practice and prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in the north west region of Cameroon. Clin Biotechnol Microbiol. 2017;1(4):135-43.
Padmavathi GV, Nagaraju B, Shampalatha SP, Nirmala M. Knowledge and factors influencing on gastritis among distant mode learners of various universities at selected study centers around Bangalore city with a view of providing a Pamphlet. Schol J Appl Med Sci. 2013;1:101.
Ashebir W, Molla A, Abate D, Terefe B, Ayenew B, Wubneh CA. Knowledge, attitude, practice, and factors associated with prevention practice toward COVID-19 among healthcare providers in Ethiopia. PLOS Global Public Health. 2022;2(5):e0000171.
Kouitcheu Mabeku LB, Noundjeu Ngamga ML, Leundji H. Potential risk factors and prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among adult patients with dyspepsia symptoms in Cameroon. BMC Infect Dis. 2018;18(1):278.
Mabeku LB, Florice FN, Nguefak LD, Timba IN, Ngatcha G, Tagni SM, et al. Oxidative stress dynamic among helicobacter pylori-positive patients with various stages of premalignant histologic lesions: a prospective study in Cameroon. APJCP. 2025;26(10):3609-18.
Aminde JA, Dedino GA, Ngwasiri CA, Ombaku KS, Mahop Makon CA, Aminde LN. Helicobacter pylori infection among patients presenting with dyspepsia at a primary care setting in Cameroon: seroprevalence, five-year trend and predictors. BMC Infect Dis. 2019;19(1):30.
Smith S, Fowora M, Pellicano R. Infections with Helicobacter pylori and challenges encountered in Africa. World J Gastroenterol. 2019;25(25):3183.
Alfaray RI, Saruuljavkhlan B, Ansari S, Fauzia KA, Yamaoka Y. epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection. Microbiota Health Dis. 2022;4(3):e733.
Alajmi SM, Alsulami TM, Mudayhish MA, Alhawas MA, Alangari MS, Alfarhan A, et al. Knowledge and attitude of medical students towards helicobacter pylori infection and its prevention and management: a study from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Cureus. 2023;15(12).
Sabbagh P, Mohammadnia-Afrouzi M, Javanian M, Babazadeh A, Koppolu V, Vasigala VR, et al. Diagnostic methods for Helicobacter pylori infection: ideals, options, and limitations. Europ J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2019;38(1):55-66.
Akeel M, Elmakki E, Shehata A, Elhafey A, Aboshouk T, Ageely H, et al. Prevalence and factors associated with H. pylori infection in Saudi patients with dyspepsia. Electron Physi. 2018;10(9):7279.
Hakami OA, Alsubaie RA, Albaqami BA, Almutlaq HM, Alqahtani NM, Alkhonezan M, et al. Knowledge and perception of Physicians of different specialties in Saudi Arabia toward Helicobacter pylori. J Multidisciplin Healthc. 2023:763-71.
Zandian H, Moghadam TZ, Pourfarzi F, Malekzadeh R, Rezaei S, Ghorbani S. Gastric troubles in Iran: The role of social and economic factors in Helicobacter pylori infection. Heal Promot Perspect. 2023;13(2):120.
Zhang L, Eslick GD, Xia HH, Wu C, Phung N, Talley NJ. Relationship between alcohol consumption and active Helicobacter pylori infection. Alcohol Alcohol. 2010;45(1):89-94.
Geraghty J, Thumbs A, Kankwatira A, Andrews T, Moore A, Malamba R, et al. Helicobacter pylori, HIV and gastric hypochlorhydria in the Malawian population. PLoS One. 2015;10(8):e0132043.
Che TH, Nguyen TC, Vu VN, Nguyen HT, Hoang DT, Ngo XM, et al. Factors associated with Helicobacter pylori infection among school-aged children from a high prevalence area in Vietnam. Int J Publ Heal. 2023;68:1605908.
Metanat M. Self-Medication With analgesics and Helicobacter pylori Infection. Int J High Risk Behav Addict. 2015;4(2):e26155.
Mnichil Z, Nibret E, Hailegebriel T, Demelash M, Mekonnen D. Prevalence and associated risk factors for Helicobacter pylori infection in East Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Brazil J Microbiol. 2024;55(1):51-64.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
