Seroprevalence and Molecular Detection of Helicobacter pylori among Patients with Dyspepsia Attending Dutse General Hospital Jigawa State - Nigeria

Abstract

The distribution of Helicobacter pylori is universal and affects about 90% of the world's population. The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection worldwide varies greatly among countries and among population groups in the same country, its prevalence is higher in developing countries including Nigeria. The aim of the research was to determine the seroprevalence of H. pylori among patients with dyspepsia attending Dutse General Hospital, Jigawa State, Nigeria. A sample size of 302 was used in the study, the method was an analytical cross sectional, patients age from 18 – 83 years were recruited between the period of March 2020 to March 2021, information about socio demographic characteristics, medication history of the patients were collected using close ended questionnaires. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 23 at confidence of 95% and 5% margin error. 5ml of blood sample was collected from the dyspeptic patients for serological analysis. After the sample collection, centrifugation was carried out at 3000rpm for 5min; this is to separate the plasma from the cellular components and the Sera were stored at – 2-8°C. A serological assay for IgG antibodies against H. pylori was performed by a commercial test kit (H. pylori rapid diagnostic test kit) to determine seropositive and seronegative patients. This study showed that about 232 patients (76.8% highest prevalence according age group) of the patients had dyspepsia; the prevalence was 68.2% (206 patients) and 31.8% (96 patients) among males and females respectively. This showed that the prevalence of H. pylori in the studied area was high, and its prevalence was higher in male than female. In this study, patients with the age range of 31-40 years 95(31.5% prevalence) with the mean age of 35.5 years are more at risk to be H. pylori positive than the older age groups in the studied area. The prevalence of H. pylori infection varies greatly by geographic area, age, and gender. The H. pylori infection is more in low socioeconomic populations than the middle and upper socioeconomic level populations. Good hygiene practices, adequate nutritional status, drinking natural water free of contamination, should be improved in the area, screening younger dyspeptic patients to eliminate further complications, evaluation of the assay efficacy in younger patients is more clinically relevant, and public awareness on the factors, mode of transmission and causes of H. pylori infection in the study area.