Helicobacter pylori Infection among Symptomatic Adults in a Tertiary Hospital in Southwestern Nigeria: A Retrospective Study
Oluwole T. O. *
Department of Medical Microbiology, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria and Department of Medical Microbiology, Babcock University, Nigeria.
Okunbor H. N.
Department of Medical Microbiology, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Otaigbe I. I.
Department of Medical Microbiology, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria and Department of Medical Microbiology, Babcock University, Nigeria.
Nwadiokwu. J. I.
Department of Anatomic Pathology and Forensic Medicine, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Sadare O. A.
Department of Medical Microbiology, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.
Elikwu C. J.
Department of Medical Microbiology, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria and Department of Medical Microbiology, Babcock University, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: To determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection among symptomatic adults in a tertiary hospital in a peri-urban setting in Southwestern Nigeria.
Methodology: It was a retrospective, cross-sectional study conducted in the Medical Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria, between January 2022 and June 2024. The study involved a review of the medical microbiology laboratory records to evaluate the H. pylori stool antigen results of samples obtained from adults with gastrointestinal symptoms suggestive of H. pylori infection.
Results: A total of 1061 adults were included in the study with females accounting for 56.2% of the participants. The age range of the participants was 18 – 95 years with a mean age of 34.59 + 15.51. The prevalence rate of H. pylori infection was 32.4% (344/1061). The infection was higher in females (50.6%) than in males (49.4%) and it was statistically significant (P = 0.011). However, a higher proportion (36.6%) of males had the infection than females (29.2%). The age group 21 – 30 years accounted for 23.3% of the H. pylori-positive participants while 37.6% of participants in the age group 41 -50 years were H. pylori-positive, however it was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: H. pylori infection is prevalent among symptomatic adults in this locality. Hence, screening for H. pylori is recommended for detection, prompt treatment and eradication of H. pylori infection to prevent long-term complications.
Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, prevalence, stool antigen test, adults, Southwest Nigeria