Prevalence and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection in Tunisian children: 1055 children in Cap-Bon (northeastern Tunisia)

Summary Purpose The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in a population of schoolchildren six years of age and to identify the risk factors that predispose children to such infection. Patients and methods A total of 1055 first-grade primary-school pupils were included. Socioeconomic factors, eating habits, gastrointestinal complaints and family history of peptic ulcer or gastric cancer were recorded with a questionnaire. Serum samples were collected to determine H. pylori infection status using ELISA for IgG antibodies. Results The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 51.4%. On univariate analysis, risk factors for H. pylori infection were household-crowding, lower socioeconomic status, late weaning from bottlefeeding (more than 18 months), bed-sharing and cup-sharing. Symptoms related to infection were abdominal pain and vomiting. On multivariate analysis, household-crowding, late bottle-weaning, bed-sharing and abdominal pain were the only variables that remained strongly associated with H. pylori infection. Conclusion The high prevalence of H. pylori infection in Tunisian children is associated with poor living conditions.