Risk Factor Assessment of Helicobacter pylori Infection in a Rural Community of People with Gastritis: A Community Based Cross-Sectional Study

Aim: The purpose of this study was to detect the incidence and risk factors of H. Pylori infections in patients with gastritis.

Study Design: A community-based cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Mahagadhimai-5, Province 2 in a rural setting of Nepal from November 2019 to March 2020.

Methodology: Stool samples were collected from the gastritis patients and were subjected to detection of the H. pylori stool antigen following the procedures recommended by the manufacturer. A questionnaire was completed by the investigators with the cooperation of each participant for the potential risk factors as designed and completed.

Results: Out of 150 participants, 82 (54.7%) were female and 68 (45.3%) were male participants. Out of 150 participants, 32.7% (49) were positive for H. pylori antigen. No significant association was seen with sex, age group while others did not show significant relation with socio-demography. Association of food habits with H. pylori antigen has significant association with smoking habits with P-value 0.049 OR 0.518 at 95% CI (0.249- 1.080) while others did not show significant relation.

Conclusions: Nearly one-third of the population was infected with H. pylori in Mahagadhimai-5, Province 2. The socio-demographic profiles, socio-economic factors and lifestyle are worth taking into consideration to prevent diseases associated with H. pylori infection.