• F C Emerenini, E C Nwolisa, F U Iregbu, C B Eke, and A N Ikefuna.
• Department of Paediatrics, Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Nigeria.
• Niger J Clin Pract. 2021 Aug 1; 24 (8): 1188-1193.

BackgroundHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative ubiquitous bacterium affecting over half of the world's population. Most infections are acquired in early childhood with highest prevalence in Africa and Asia. Infected individuals develop antibodies against H. pylori which persist up to 6 months after eradication. Low socioeconomic status, poor sanitation, poor personal hygiene, and absence of potable household water supply are prevalent in our environment and also linked with increased frequency of the disease with attendant health consequences.AimsThe aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection and potential sociodemographic factors among children in Owerri.MethodsOne hundred and twenty children aged 6 months to 15 years were studied from March to June 2016. Sociodemographic data was documented in a pretested structured questionnaire while rapid test kit that detects antibody to H. pylori by chromatographic flow was used to identify subjects with infection. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 with level of statistical significance at P < 0.05.ResultsH. pylori infection prevalence was 20.0%, increased with age and highest in the 10-15 years age group (P = 0.001). Increasing age and low socioeconomic class (SEC) were found to be significant risk factors of H. pylori seropositivity among study subjects.ConclusionPrevalence of H. pylori infection was high, increased with age and lower SEC as well as highest among children aged 10 years and older. Efforts should be made to exclude H. pylori infection in children with suspected symptoms considering the high burden of the disease in our setting.

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