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PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION IN ASYMPTOMATIC AND SYMPTOMATIC PATIENTS ATTENDING THE NKWEN DISTRICT HOSPITAL BAMENDA


Sr No:
Page No: 15-32
Language: English
Authors: Lum Abongnwi Ambe*, Dr. Chia Mary Goretti, Laisin Mariette Vernyuy, Bih Elise Ambe, Esoh Rene Tanwieh, Awizoba Hodabalo, Brain Tarawo Kwinji
Received: 2025-03-03
Accepted: 2025-03-19
Published Date: 2025-03-23
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Abstract:
INTRODUCTION: H. pylori is an important global pathogen infecting many individuals worldwide. This bacterium causes gastritis and peptic ulcer disease and it is also an important risk factor for the development of stomach cancer. Despite progress in diagnosis and therapy in various regions of the world, it affects more than half of the population with a majority of the cases (about 80%) being asymptomatic and induces clinical symptoms in 15-20% of subjects OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of H. pylori infection among asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals attending the Nkwen District Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a hospital based cross-sectional study conducted among 340 individuals who attended the Nkwen District Hospital Bamenda. The participants of this study were individuals presenting with symptoms of H. pylori infection who had the test request from the doctor, as well as those who were not having any symptoms randomly selected and accepted freely to participate in the study by signing the consent or assent forms assuring confidentiality. Individuals were allowed to participate in this research study if they had filled their questionnaires, were not undergoing treatment for the infection or had not been treated less than a month prior and also if they could give a stool sample. Structured questionnaires were filled in other to determine the associated risk factors of H. pylori in patients with or without clinical symptoms. To determine the prevalence of this infection, their stools samples were collected and tested for the presence of stool antigen against anti-Helicobacter pylori antibody conjugated in a colloid gold nitrocellulose membrane strip. An ethical clearance was obtained from the ethical review board of the University of Bamenda, administrative consent was gotten from the delegation of Public Health and from the Nkwen District Hospital administration. Data was analyzed using the statistical software package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22.0 with 95% confidence interval and results displayed on frequency tables having respective percentages. The Chi-square test was used to compare the prevalence between groups and a factor was considered significant if p≤0.05 RESULTS: Three hundred and forty participants (340) of all ages who attended the Nkwen District Hospital Bamenda took part in this study. The overall prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in the participants was 32.9% (112/340). The prevalence in the asymptomatic population was 17.36% (33/190) and the prevalence in the symptomatic population was 52.66% (79/150). The associated risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection in asymptomatic individuals were their age group, frequent eating spots, incomplete medications from previous infection, frequent intake of NSAIDs, previous operation in the stomach, fasting for long periods, smoking and alcohol consumption (P-values ≤ 0.05). The associated risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection in symptomatic individuals were their age group, occupation, educational level, marital status, frequent eating spot, hand hygiene after using the toilet, source of drinking water, intake of NSAIDs, previous operation in the stomach, having a close relative in your household with stomach cancer or serious gastrointestinal disorders, fasting for long periods and alcohol consumption (p-values≤0.05). CONCLUSION: In this study carried out to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients attending the Nkwen District Hospital Bamenda, The overall prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in the participants was 32.9% (112/340). The prevalence in the asymptomatic population was 17.36% (33/190) and the prevalence in the symptomatic population was 52.66% (79/150). The associated risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection in asymptomatic individuals were their age group, frequent eating spots, incomplete medications from previous infection, frequent intake of NSAIDs, previous operation in the stomach, fasting for long periods, smoking and alcohol consumption. The associated risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection in symptomatic individuals were their age group, occupation, educational level, marital status, frequent eating spot, hand hygiene after using the toilet, source of drinking water, intake of NSAIDs, previous operation in the stomach, having a close relative in your household with stomach cancer or serious gastrointestinal disorders, fasting for long periods and alcohol consumption.
Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, Prevalence, Associated Risk Factors, Symptomatic, Asymptomatic, Bamenda, All ages.

Journal: IRASS Journal of Applied Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences
ISSN(Online): 3049-0901
Publisher: IRASS Publisher
Frequency: Monthly
Language: English

PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION IN ASYMPTOMATIC AND SYMPTOMATIC PATIENTS ATTENDING THE NKWEN DISTRICT HOSPITAL BAMENDA