THE PREVALENCE OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI AMONG APPARENTLY HEALTHY CHILDREN AGED 2-16 YEARS IN ABA ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Chima O. C.1*, Opara A. U.1, Dike-Ndudim J. N., Nwosu D. C.1, Ahiara C. O., Ibekwe C. N., Nwanjo U. B. C., Nwogwugwu N. G.

ABSTRACT

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection among apparently healthy school children aged 2-16 in Aba metropolis, Abia State, Nigeria, was studied. Three schools were randomly selected after which appropriate advocacy visits were made prior to the commencement of the survey. Informed Consent was also obtained from the parents or guardian of the children. Three hundred (300) school children were recruited into the study, one hundred (100) from each school comprising 50 males and 50 females respectively. Blood samples were appropriately collected from the subjects and screened for H. pylori using antibody (Ab) rapid test kit. Stool samples were subsequently collected from the subjects who tested positive at screening level and tested for H. pylori antigen as a confirmatory test using HpAg Stool Rapid Test cassette. The result showed overall prevalence of 57% in the study population. There was increase in prevalence with increasing age, 45.5% for those aged 2-6 years, 58.3% for those aged 7-11 years and 62.0% for those aged 12-16 years. This increase was found to be statistically significant (Ø<0.05). There was also difference in prevalence according to sex, 60.7% for males and 53.3% for females. This difference was also found to be statistically significant (Ø<0.05). The result of this study with regard to location also showed difference in prevalence, (Aba South 62%, Aba North 58 and Aba central 51%) which was statistically significant (Ø<0.05). The above result is alarming and looking at the tenderness of the children involved, it calls for serious concern to the health authorities at all levels. It is, therefore, recommended that; clean and decent environment should be encouraged; provision of potable water and vigorous awareness campaign against the spread of H. pylori infection should be embarked upon by government at all levels and the possibility of developing a good gaulity vaccine against H. pylori infection should be considered, and the possibility of including it as part of routine immunization for children should be explored.

Keywords: Prevalence, Helicobacter pylori, apparently healthy children, 2-16 years.