Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori among Patients with Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT) Symptoms: A Retrospective Study at Selected Africa Air Rescue (AAR) Clinics in Kampala, Uganda, from 2015 to 2019

Abstract

Background. Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is extremely common worldwide, with almost half of the world’s population infected. In Uganda, no study has been done on the trends of the prevalence of H. pylori infection in the affluent population. Therefore, this retrospective cross-sectional study aimed at determining the trend of H. pylori prevalence among affluent patients presenting with gastrointestinal (GIT) symptoms whose stool samples were tested at selected AAR clinics in Kampala area. Patients were tested for Helicobacter pylori infection using the stool antigen test between January 2015 and December 2019. Results. The overall 5-year H. pylori prevalence was 35.7% (1298/3634). The prevalence was higher in males (36.0% (736/2044)) than in females (35.4% (562/1590)), although not statistically significant (OR = 0.97, p = 0.680, 95% CI: 0.84–1.11). The prevalence of H. pylori infection was significantly higher (39.4%) among patients who belonged to the age group of 19–35 years (OR = 1.49, p < 0.001 , 95% CI: 1.22–1.82). The prevalence for H. pylori among the age group of 19–35, the most productive age, could be attributed to work-related factors such as stress. The highest prevalence (43.4%) was recorded in 2018 and the lowest (21.4%) in 2015; however, the trend of H. pylori infection in the 5 years was fluctuating. Conclusion. H. pylori infestation is a preserve of not only the poor but also the elites. Stressful factors, especially in the age group of 19–35 years, should be appropriately managed.

Helicobacter pylori infection and its associated factors among dyspepsia patients attending Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, 2020

“…In this study, H. pylori infection was found in 34%, of dyspepsia patients with 95% CI (29.5% to 39.4%). This is in agreement with the result of the studies conducted in Colombia (36.4%) [12], Western Uganda (29.9%) [13], Gondar (37.6%) [7], Addis Ababa (36.8%) [14] and Uganda (35.7%) [15]. However, this finding is not comparable to studies conducted in Hosaena (51.4%) [16], Butajira, 52.4% [17], Nigeria (23.5%) [9] and Egypt (64.6%) [8].…”

Epidemiological Distribution of Risk Factors Contributing to Symptomatic Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Diyala Province, Iraq

“…In this study, infections rise significantly among younger ages, and this is consistent with other investigations (Khoder et al, 2019;Namyalo et al, 2021). This may be because H. pylori bacterium is often acquired in childhood, especially when one of family members becomes infected with this bacterium then transmits it to others at an early age as a result of sharing food tools, and it can last for life [Namyalo et al, 2021;Weyermann et al, 2009;O'Ryan et al, 2015). This study showed that rates of H pylori infections are significantly higher in females and this is in line with other studies [(Al-Brefkani et al, 2021;Khoder et al, 2019, 28].…”

“…This is consistent with other Iraqi and Arabic studies, because the highest rate of infection was among patients aged 20-30 years in Sulaimani, Iraq (Al-Windi., 2013), 16-18 years in Duhok, Iraq (Al-Brefkani et al, 2021, and age group of 30 years old in Emirates Arabia (Khoder et al, 2019). Other non-Arab studies have also found that rates of H. Pylori infections are rising in younger age groups (Syam et al, 2015;Namyalo et al, 2021). In this study, infections rise significantly among younger ages, and this is consistent with other investigations (Khoder et al, 2019;Namyalo et al, 2021).…”

“…Other non-Arab studies have also found that rates of H. Pylori infections are rising in younger age groups (Syam et al, 2015;Namyalo et al, 2021). In this study, infections rise significantly among younger ages, and this is consistent with other investigations (Khoder et al, 2019;Namyalo et al, 2021). This may be because H. pylori bacterium is often acquired in childhood, especially when one of family members becomes infected with this bacterium then transmits it to others at an early age as a result of sharing food tools, and it can last for life [Namyalo et al, 2021;Weyermann et al, 2009;O'Ryan et al, 2015).…”

Association Between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Anemia Among Adult Dyspeptic Patients Attending Kiryandongo General Hospital, Uganda

“…However, the prevalence of anemia among H. pylori -infected individuals was higher at 11% compared to H. pylori -negative patient counterparts at 8.8%. This prevalence is higher than the reported prevalence of H. pylori infection in Bwera Hospital in Kasese, Uganda, by Tsongo et al at 29.9%, 18 in Kampala 35.7%, 19 27.3% in eastern Uganda 20 and 29.2% in Butembe Health Centre III Kyankwanzi district, Uganda.…”