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.
