SEROPREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS FOR HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION AMONG SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SANA'A CITY, YEMEN
Authors: Edrees Wadhah Hassan 
Published: May 2022

Background and Objectives: Helicobacter pylori is the most common bacterial infection affecting more than 50% of the population globally, especially in developing countries, while data on its prevalence in Yemen is still limited. Therefore, the current study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence and risk factors of H. pylori among school students in Sana'a city, Yemen.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in primary and secondary schools in Sana'a during the period from October to December 2021 in which two hundred and ninety-three (293) school students aged 11-21 years were enrolled in this study and tested for H. pylori in blood specimens by using a cassette Rapid antibody test. Associated risk factors were collected through a designed questionnaire.
Result: Overall, H. pylori antibody was positive in 82/293(27.99%) students. The higher rate of seroprevalence of H. pylori antibodies was reported among male students (29.25%; P˃0.05), age group of 16-21 years (33.69%; P ˂0.05), and secondary students in schools (31.66%; P ˂0.05). Also, the highest rate of H. pylori infection was positive among students who drank untreated water (32.61%), consuming of unwashed vegetables (28.71%) and fruits (30.51%), not been infected previously (28.45%), one of their family infected (28.98%), sometimes eating out of home (32.47%), and non-use antibiotics (29.12%) and there was non-statistical significant difference (P ˃0.05). In addition, there were no significant relationships between seropositivity of H. pylori and clinical signs and symptoms as well as antibiotic use. Finally, most of the students with blood group (O) had H. pylori antibodies (P ˃0.05).
Conclusion: It can be concluded that the increasing rate of H. pylori among school students will become a real serious health problem if it is not monitored. Therefore, an effective educational health program is important for the prevention and control of H. pylori infection among school students.
                          
Peer Review History:
Received: 26 February 2022; Revised: 18 March; Accepted: 22 April, Available online: 15 May 2022
Academic Editor: Dr. Emmanuel O. Olorunsola, Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Uyo, Nigeria, olorunsolaeo@yahoo.com
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Received file:                                Reviewer's Comments:
Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.5/10
Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10
Reviewers:
Prof. Dr. Hassan A.H. Al-Shamahy, Sana'a University, Yemen, shmahe@yemen.net.ye
Dr. Nkechi Obiofu Ezenobi, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, nkechi.ezenobi@uniport.edu.ng
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