PREVALENCE OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION AMONG FARMERS AND NON-FARMERS WITH DYSPEPSIA

Abstract

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori (H pylori) is a gram negative spirally shaped bacterium. It is known to be the most common cause of dyspepsia especially in developing countries as Egypt. Aim of work: To identify the prevalence of H pylori among patients with dyspepsia especially farmers and the infection risk factors. Materials and methods: This is a hospital based cross-sectional study conducted on 152 patients (78 farmers and 74 non-farmers) with dyspepsia among those admitted to Gastrointestinal (GI) Endoscopy Unit at Menoufia University hospital, Menoufia, Egypt. They were recruited to this study from 1 st September 2017 to the end of May 2018. Designed questionnaire, clinical examination, esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD) and histopathological evaluation were conducted to the studied patients. Results: The overall prevalence rate of H pylori among dyspeptic patients in the current study was (73.7%) and significantly higher among low levels of education (28.6%), female gender (69.6%), farmers occupation (57.1%), low socioeconomic status (28.6%), who consume tap water for drinking (76.8%) and unwashed vegetables (73.2%). Epigastric pain was more common in patients with H pylori (P <0.001). Also, acid reflux, morning vomiting and upper abdominal distention were significantly more prevalent among H pylori positive cases. About (82.1%) of farmers were significantly positively infected than non-farmers (64.9%). Illiterate female farmers who didn't wash vegetables and with history of peptic ulcers were more susceptible of infection. Conclusion: