Sero-prevalence and associated factors of Helicobacter pylori infection among  adult patients with dyspepsia attending the gastroenterology unit in a tertiary hospital in Mwanza, Tanzania.

Hyasinta Jaka, Martha F. Mushi, Mariam M Mirambo, Leonard Wilson, Jeremiah Seni, Majigo Mtebe, Stephen E. Mshana
1. Department of Internal medicine, Weill Bugando School of Medicine, P.O.Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania.
2. Department of Microbiology/Immunology, Weill Bugando School of Medicine, P.O.Box 1464, Mwanza,
Tanzania.
3. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Muhimbili university of Health and allied sciences P.O.Box 65001,
Dar es Salaam.

Abstract
Background:Prevalence of H.pyloriinfection varies greatly between populations in different countries. This study was conducted to determine the magnitude of H.pyloriamong adult patients with dyspepsia attending the gastroenterology unit at Bugando  medical centre.

Methods:A cross sectional study involving 202 dyspeptic patients was conducted between June and July 2014. A Standardized
data collection tool was used to collect socio-demographic characteristics. H.pyloriantibodies were detected using rapid immunochromatographic tests according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Results:The median age of study population was 42 (IQR: 33-54). Females 105 (51.9%) formed majority of the population studied. Of 202 participants; 119 (58.9%) were from rural areas. Seroprevalence of H.pylori infection was found to be 79/202  (39.1%, 95% CI: 32.3 -45.7). As the age increased the risk of having H.pylori infection also increased (OR: 1.02 95% CI: 1-1.04, P=0.02). On multivariate logistic regression analysis untreated drinking water was found to predict H.pyloriseropositivity (OR: n2.33, CI: 1.09-4.96, p=0.028).

Conclusion: The seroprevalence of H.pyloriamong dyspeptic patients is high in this setting. Therefore the community in  Mwanza should be educated on the use of safe drinking water in order to minimize H. pyloriinfections.

Keywords: H.pylori,dyspepsia, Tanzania.