Risk Factors Associated with Helicobacter pylori Infection in Gaza, Palestine

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is usually acquired in early childhood. H. pylori infection is associated with several upper gastrointestinal disorders. Local data on the epidemiology of the infection are scarce in Palestine. The purpose of this study is to measure the occurrence of infection and to explore the associated factors among the population living in Gaza strip. This study included 89 randomly selected participants from non-hospitalized patients. Age, sex, socioeconomic status and other potential risk factors were assessed using a structured interview. Ultra Rapid Urease Test was performed on biopsy specimens followed by histology examined with Methylene blue stain, HpSAg test to detect antigen in stool specimen and Hp IgM antibody was measured in blood using ELISA technique. Age ranged between 13-77 years, with mean age 37.03, (37.1%) were females and (62.9%) were males. The rate of H. pylori infection was (48.3%). There were variations between the different tests. There was a significant correlation between the type of drinking water consumed during childhood and H. pylori infection. H. pylori infection showed no significant correlation with age, sex, weight, marital status, smoking, education level, coffee drinking, oral hygiene, socioeconomic status including number of persons living in the accommodation, number of persons in each room, income, type of accommodation, consumption of drugs and antibiotics. Tea drinking proved to be a protective factor against H. pylori infection. Keywords: H. pylori, URUT, HpSAg, ELISA, Biopsy specimen, Gaza, risk factors