Analysis of infestation rate of Helicobacter pylori and factors affecting the infestation in Inner Mongolia border recruits

Objective　To investigate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infestation and its related risk factors in the recruits at Hulunbuir pastureland and Ala Shan Desert. Methods　Nine hundred male recruits (16-24 years old) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. H. pylori infection was detected by 13C-urea breath test, and the related risk factors were surveyed by using questionnaires. The data of risk factors for H.pylori infection were analyzed by using chi-square test and logistic regression. Results　The H. pylori infection rate was 47.5% in recruits located in Hulunbuir pastureland, while it was 44.8% in recruits located in Ala Shan Desert. The H. pylori infection rate was higher in recruits from the West China and Central China, and higher in the recruits from the rural area than those from city (P<0.05). The level of serum pepsinogen (PG I and PGⅡ) was elevated, but PGR (PGⅠ/PGⅡ) lowered in the recruits with H. pylori infection (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the factors as hand-washing with soap, smoking, halitosis, and halitosis with acne were positively correlated with H. pylori infection. Conclusions　H. pylori infection rate of new recruits is lower in Inner Mongolia compared to the finding of previous studies. Residential environment is the fact DOI: 10.11855/j.issn.0577-7402.2014.09.17