Publication:

Seroprevalence and the factors associated with Helicobacter pylori infection among adolescent students in Tiko municipality, Southwest region of Cameroon

Background Helicobacter pylori, a gram-negative oncogenic coccobacillus, and micro-aerophilic bacterium requires environments containing oxygen at a low partial pressure. Although many carrier individuals are asymptomatic, long-term exposure to this bacterium can contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of peptic ulcers, chronic gastritis and stomach cancers in adulthood.

Method A school based cross-sectional study was carried among 180 adolescents chosen conveniently. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the factors associated with this infection.

Results The 180 participants were aged 17.27 ± 1.48 years on average. Of these, blood sample from 96 (53.3%) tested positive for H. pylori antibodies. Three factors were significantly associated with this sero-prevalence. Compared to individuals consuming 3-4 meals daily, those taking only 1-2 meals per day had approximately 2.5 times higher odds of infection (aOR= 2.48, 95% CI 1.347-4.588, p = 0.004). Participants using a pit toilet system had higher odds of infection relative to those using a flushing system (aOR = 1.93, 95% CI 1.042-3.597, p = 0.037). Additionally, alcohol consumption was associated with higher odds of H. pylori infection (aOR = 1.98, 95% CI 1.083-3.636, p = 0.027).

Conclusion H. pylori sero-prevalence was found to be high and associated with low dietary frequency, pit toilets use, and the consumption of alcohol. Hence, health interventions targeting nutrition, environmental sanitation, and behavioural change would contribute to reduce the risk of exposure of adolescent population to H. pylori infection.