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BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

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

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

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2017

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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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Metadata
Title
Prevalence of helicobacter pylori infection among children living in a rural setting in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors
Yaw Asante Awuku
David Larbi Simpong
Ishmael Kunateh Alhassan
Derek Anamaale Tuoyire
Taiba Afaa
Patrick Adu
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4274-z

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