Prevalence and Possible Risk Factors for Helicobacter pylori Seropositivity among Peptic Ulcerative Individuals in Nnewi Nigeria

ABSTRACT Helicobacter pylori colonize the human gastric epithelium, causing chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. This work determined the level of IgG seropositivity to Helicobacter pylori in peptic ulcerative individuals. A cross sectional study involving 179 peptic ulcerative individuals was conducted. Ethical approval was obtained and informed consent sought. Questionnaire was administered and 5 ml of blood was collected into EDTA containers. Subject selection was done using convenience sampling technique. The H. pylori seropositivity was determined using ELISA technique. The prevalence rate for H. pylori was 51.4% and the predominant seropositive age group was 24-35 years (22.9%). Age (p=0.00) was found to be a significant risk factor for H. pylori seropositivity. Females 50 (27.9%) were more seropositive to H. pylori than males 42 (23.5%) though the difference was not significant (p=0.281). Moreover, there was no significant relationship between source of drinking water and H. pylori seropositivity (p=0.433). Overall, borehole water 16 (8.9%) and sachet water consumers 57 (31.8%) predominated in the seropositive population. The results show that H. pylori is high among peptic ulcerative individuals in Nnewi and also, increased levels of interferon gamma may contribute to the development of H. pylori associated diseases.