Prevalence and risk factors for helicobacter pylori infection in children aged 3-60 months attending a private and a public hospital clinic in Kenya (Gertrude’s children’s hospital and Githogoro clinic): a comparative study.
Abstract
Introduction: Helicobacter pylori is a common bacterial infection globally with the highest
infection rates occurring in developing countries. Acquisition occurs in early childhood and the
prevalence tends to increase with age. The local burden of disease among children is largely
unknown due to few studies. H. pylori infection Higher prevalence rates have been linked to low
socioeconomic status, overcrowding, poor sanitation and low education levels.
Objective: Our study objective was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for Helicobacter
pylori infection among children aged 3 months to 5 years attending immunization clinics at private
hospital (Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital) and an affiliated public institution (Githogoro clinic).
Methodology: A cross-sectional study of 212 children (106 from each group) was carried out. A
structured questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic characteristics of the children
attending the immunization clinics. H. pylori infection was assessed using a stool antigen test.
Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 22 and data presented using descriptive statistics.
Chi-square test was used to determine the association between H pylori infection and risk factors.
Multivariate analysis was done using logistic regression.
Results: The participants’ mean age was 29months with a male to female ratio of almost 1:1.The
H.pylori feco-prevalence was 45% with those at Githogoro having a 2 fold higher risk of the
infection (OR 2.137(95% C.I 0.863-5.296).
Multivariate regression analysis indicated that the water source for domestic use and number of
people sharing a room were statistically significant risk factors for H. pylori infection.
Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of H. pylori among children in this study as reported in
other studies in developing nations.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
The following license files are associated with this item: