Helicobacter pylori and Associated Factors among Symptomatic and Asymptomatic School- Aged Children Attending Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is significantly higher in developing nations. It is mainly acquired during childhood and is strongly linked to several stomach conditions  ranging from gastritis to gastric cancers. However, there is limited information concerning its occurrence and infec­tion and associ­ated factors among school-age children in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of Helicobactor  pylori infec­tion among school-aged children attending the out­patient depart­ment of Hiwot Fana Specialized Univer­sity Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia.

Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1038 school-aged children attending  Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital outpatient department  from 01 January to 30 November 2019. The study population with and without a clinical manifestation of  Helicobactor  pylori was enrolled consecutively until the intended sample size was achieved. Data were collected through an interview using a structured questionnaire. A stool was collected and tested for the Helico­bacter pylori antigen. Data were analyzed by using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0 program. Chi-square and logistic regression models were used to determine the predictor of the outcome variable. A p-value of less than 0.05 was taken as the significant level.

Results: Out of 993 (280 symptomatic and 713 asymptomatic) school-aged children, 173(17.4%) (95 % CI: 15.2-19.7) were positive for Helicobacter pylori infection. The prevalence was higher in symptomatic 54(19.3%) compared to asymptomatic 119(16.7%) school age children (p>0.05). Children in the ages group of 10-12 years (AOR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.15), did not attend formal school (AOR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.42), and shared sleeping accom­moda­tion with two or more persons (AOR: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.11, 2.50) had higher odds of acquiring Helicobacter pylori. 

Conclusion: The overall prevalence of Helicobacter pylori is high.  Age of the child, educational status, and shared sleeping accommodation  were identified factors. This calls for improving personal hygiene at the age group of 10-12,  avoiding sharing sleeping accommodation and educating the child might reduce the acquisition of Heli­cobacter pylori infection.

Keywords:  H. pylori infection, school-age children, asymptomatic, symptomatic