Seroprevalence of Helicobacter Pylori Among Students of Nigerian College of Education

Abstract

Abstract: Helicobacter pylori are known to cause chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma and mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma. There is limited knowledge about the prevalence and associations of H. Pylori among students of colleges of education in Nigeria. This study determined the current prevalence and associated factors in apparently healthy Nigeria Colleges of education students. A multistage sampling technique was used to recruit five hundred and fifty three (543) apparently healthy male and female students. The investigation used descriptive cross-sectional study for H. pylori infection using a monoclonal serum antigen test. Students were interviewed with guided structured questions. The information on the socio-demographic factors, locality, level, nutritional status and ulcer history were obtained. From the total subjected screened 9% were H. pylori seropositive and out of which 7% were female while 2% were male. The sero-prevalence among age group showed higher prevalence between 18 to 22 years. It is recommended that awareness be raised about good hygiene practices and provision of access to proper and continuous screening and treatment for infected individuals associated with H. pylori infection.