Helicobacter pylori among patients with symptoms of gastroduodenal ulcer disease in rural Uganda
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Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Infection Ecology & Epidemiology
Abstract
To meet key millennium development goals, the rural population needs to be reached for health
assessment and service delivery. Gastroduodenal ulcer disease is a common ailment affecting the health of
people in Uganda. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Bwera Hospital in Kasese district of western
Uganda, to establish the prevalence and predisposing factors of Helicobacter pylori among gastroduodenal
ulcer disease patients.
Methods: A sample of 174 patients with symptoms of gastroduodenal ulcer disease was purposively obtained.
Using two laboratory test methods, the prevalence of H. pylori among these patients was determined. A
structured questionnaire was administered to participants to establish their demographic background and
selected aspects of their lifestyle. Finally, the results obtained by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
and immunochromatographic rapid test (IRT) were compared.
Results: We established the prevalence of H. pylori as 29.9% (52/174) by ELISA and 37.4% (65/174) by IRT.
Cigarette smoking, poor sanitation, and lack of formal education were the significant predisposing factors
with p-values B0.05. The two tests gave identical results in 87.9% of the patients.
Discussion: The prevalence of H. pylori by IRT and ELISA test methods was similar to what has been
reported elsewhere in developed countries; but was lower than previously reported in developing countries
including Uganda. The previous studies in Uganda were carried out in the urban population and on young
children; and some used antibody-detection methods only, therefore leading to different prevalence as a result
of difference in study population and methods.
Description
Keywords
Helicobacter pylori, Peptic ulcers, Symptoms, Gastroduodenal ulcer, Chronic gastritis, Smoking
Citation
Lawrence Tsongo, Jessica Nakavuma, Claire Mugasa & Edwin Kamalha (2015) Helicobacterpylori among patients with symptoms of gastroduodenal ulcer disease in rural Uganda, Infection Ecology & Epidemiology, 5:1, 26785, DOI: 10.3402/iee.v5.26785