FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PREVALENCE OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTIONS AMONG PATIENTS AGED 10-25 YEARS ATTENDING MAKONGE HEALTH CENTRE III, BUIKWE DISTRICT. A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background. 

H.pylori is a flagellated gram-negative, microaerophilic, helical bacterium about 3.5 μm long, its infections are most often contracted in childhood and are known to cause Peptic ulcer. To determine the prevalence, Socio-demographic factors, and knowledge about Helicobacter Pylori infection among patients aged 10-25 years attending Makonge Health Centre III, Buikwe district. 

 Methodology 

A cross-sectional study with a simple random sampling technique was used and data was collected using a standard semi-structured questionnaire analyzed using descriptive frequencies, and percentages using Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word and presented in tables and pie charts. 

 Results 

From the results, majority, 64(67%) of the respondents tested negative, the majority of the respondents were both 10-17 years and 18-25years were 29(78%) and 35(59%) H.pylori negative respectively, and the majority of both males and females tested H.pylori negative with 33(70%) and 31(53%) respectively and majority 78(81%) of the respondents had ever heard about H.pylori with low knowledge on causes, prevention, signs, and symptoms 

 Conclusions 

From the results, majority of respondents tested negative and the minority tested positive hence low prevalence, the ages 10 to 17 and ages 18 to 25 tested negative and the majority were female, married, and urban residents and had at least attained primary school education and the majority were not taking alcohol. Therefore, higher socio-demographic status was a high predictor of H. pylori infection. In the study to assess levels of knowledge among the respondents, the majority had ever heard and the minority had never heard about H.pylori infection and the majority did not know the cause, preventive measures, signs, and symptoms. 

 Recommendations. 

MOH should sensitize the community to test for H.pylori whenever they get signs of ulcers and conduct mass screening by the facility and health workers health educate the community about causes, Signs, symptoms, and preventive measures of H.pylori infection.