Helicobacter Pylori Infection among School Children in Alexandria : Possible Association with Intestinal Parasitic Infections

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Tropical Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt

2 Internal Medicine Department, Gastroenterology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Egypt

Abstract

The study was conducted on 170 pupils of a primary school in Backos area of Alexandria, Egypt. Complete clinical examination was undertaken together with a thorough past and family history taking. The children completed a predesigned questionnaire regarding some socioeconomic data and past medical history. Stool examination was carried out to detect different parasitic infections. Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed immunologically by detection of anti- H.pylori IgG antibodies in salivary samples using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] . The results revealed a H. pylori prevalence of 27.1% among the examined pupils . Boys were more infected than girls [32.5% vs. 22.2%] however, the gender effect was not statistically significant [P> 0.05]. Age was more important as an epidemiologic determinant and H. pylori infection increased significantly with age [P<0.001]. Of the socioeconomic factors investigated the education of parents especially mothers of children was the most important and H. pylori infection increased significantly with the decrease of the level of mother's education [P< 0.05] . A degree of association which was not statistically significant was found between H. pylori infection and intestinal parasitic infections especially helminths as Ascaris, Trichuris, Hymenolepis and Fasiola sp suggesting the faecal-oral route of transmission and the role of food particularly if this is added to the effect of household environment and food hygiene.

Keywords

Journal of High Institute of Public Health
Volume 33, Issue 1
January 2003
Pages 141-156

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