Risk factors with Helicobacter pylori infection prevalence among children and adult symptomatic patients attending Ad-Lucem Obobogo hospital in the health district of Efoulan, Yaounde-Cameroun

Abstract

Background: The burden of Helicobacter pylori infection (HPI) remains very high in sub Saharan Africa (SSA) with varying levels of prevalence among children and adults reported in different regions of the continent like Cameroon. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pilory (H. pilory) and to identify risk factors among symptomatic patients attending Ad-Lucem Obobogo Hospital. Methods: From January 18th, to March 22nd, 2021, we conducted a cross-sectional study among 142 gastritis symptomatic patients (children and adults) aged between 10 to 81years old attending Ad-Lucem Obobogo Hospital in Yaounde, Cameroon. Data were collected using well-structured questionnaire containing general characteristics of study participants and risk factors. Blood and fresh stool samples were performed for the presence of H. pylori antibody in sera, antigen in stool using qualitative rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). The data were performed using Epi-info version 7 with P˂ 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age was 36.42years old (standard deviation: ±14.85) and the females were more represented with 61.97% (88/142). Overall, the rate of IgG antibodies and stool antigen were detected in 66.90% (95/142), and 29.58% (42/142), respectively. The antigen prevalence (31.48% versus 28.41%) Odds Ratio (OR) =0.9 (0.46-2.05), P=0.84 and antibodies (75.92% versus 61.36%), OR=2 (0.93-4.23), P=0.07 were more detected in males than the females respectively. The antigen had the highest prevalence within range age (40-54) years (P=0.41) and antibody had the highest prevalence within range age ≥55years old (P=0.45). The multivariate analysis shows that, the risk factors such as education level and source of cooking water were statistically associated with HPI (P=0.02). Conclusion: This result shows the high prevalence of HPI among patients attending Ad-Lucem Obobogo Hospital in Yaounde. The risk factors such as education level and source of cooking water were significantly associated for this infection.