Seroprevalence and determinants of Helicobacter pylori infection among asymptomatic under-five children at a Tertiary Hospital in the South-Western region of Nigeria

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection among under-five children in the South West Nigeria remains largely understudied. There is no data on the subject from the study area. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to assess the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection among under-five children at a tertiary hospital in the South Western, Nigeria and to determine its associated socio-demographic factors. METHODS: Sera of 360 children were analyzed for anti H. pylori Ig G using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay test kit (BQ ELISA Ig G KIT) and H. pylori infection risk factors were determined. Determinants of H. pylori infection was determined using binary logistic regression analysis and p-values < 0.05 were taken as statistically significant. RESULTS: H. pylori infection seroprevalence rate was 32.8% and increased with age. Living in one room accommodation, large families, playing with soil, family history of dyspepsia, practice of premastication, sharing of plates and cutlery, and water closet toilet were associated with H. pylori Ig G seropositivity (p<0.05) on binary regression analysis. CONCLUSION: The seroprevalence of H. pylori infection in under -five children is high, increasing as the age of the children increased. This may suggest that instituting preventive measures at young age, targeting identified factors may be effective in reducing the burden of H. pylori infection.