Burden of Helicobacter pylori Infections and Associated Risk Factors among Women of Child Bearing Age in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Early detection and treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection in women of child bearing ages may reduce the risk of maternal health disorder. This study was conducted to determine the burden of H. pylori infections and associated risk factors among women of child bearing ages in Kolfe Keranio Subcity Woreda 9 Health Centers, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. METHODS: Facility based cross sectional study design was conducted from April to October 2015. The study recruited 195 pregnant and 137 nonpregnant women with age range of 16-40 years. Sociodemographic data of study participants were collected by structured questionnaire. Venous blood was analyzed to determine hemoglobin, H. pylori stool antigen test kit was used to assess H. pylori infection, and fresh fecal (stool) was used to examine intestinal parasites among study subjects. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 19. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression model using odds ratio (OR) at 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. P-value less than 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. RESULTS: The overall burden of H. pylori infection among study participants was 29% (96/332). H. pylori infection was statistically significantly associated with pregnancy status (AOR: 1.825, CI (1.42-2.15), P=0.020), history of hyperemesis gravidarum (AOR=7.028, C.I (2.47-19.99), P=0.018), and low hemoglobin value (AOR=0.177, CI (0.083–0.379), p=0.003). There was no statistically significant association between H. pylori infection and sociodemographic characteristics and some expected risk factors like smoking, Khat chewing, alcohol drinking habit, and presence of intestinal parasites. CONCLUSION: In this study, H. pylori infection was still a public health problem in the study area. H. pylori infected women also had high rate of anemia compared to women who had not H. pylori infected. Hence clinician and other responsible bodies should give a special attention for women who had been infected with H. pylori. Further large case control studies are warranted to understand more the role of H. pylori, HG, and other associated risk factors.