Helicobacter pylori infection among people receiving health check-ups

Objectives To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of Helicobacter pylori(Hp)infection and evaluate related risk factors among people receiving health check-ups in Dazhou City. Methods 25160 people who had undergone health check-ups at Dazhou Central Hospital from January 2014 to December 2015 were examined for helicobacter pylori infection by the 13C breath test.Data including demographics, dietary habits and life styles were collected from volunteers who were willing to participate in the questionnaire survey.Risk factors for Hp infection were analyzed. Results The overall Hp infection rate was 38%(9 561/25 160). The infection rates in male and female were 38.1%(6 037/15 841)and 37.8%(3 523/9 319), respectively, with no statistical significance(χ2=0.23, P=0.630)between the two genders.Hp infection rates showed differences among different age groups(χ2=116.07, P 0.05). Conclusions The infection rate of Hp among people receiving health check-ups in Dazhou City is slightly lower than the national average in China, but similar to rates among people receiving health check-ups in other Chinese cities.Poor personal hygiene habits are closely related to Hp infection.Health education and promotion on personal hygiene habits should be heightened to improve the knowledge about risk factors of Hp infection. Key words: Helicobacter pylori; Risk factors