Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori Infection and Associated Factors among Gastritis Students in Jigjiga University, Jigjiga, Somali Regional State of Ethiopia

Abstract

1.1. Background: H. pylori infection remains a major public health problem in Ethiopia. The aim of the present study is; therefore, to explore the prevalence of H. pylori infection and associated factors among gastritis Students in Jigjiga University, Jigjiga Town, Somali Regional State of Ethiopia. 1.2. Methods: Clinic-based cross-sectional study involving log book recorded data and pre-tested structured questionnaire, was conducted among gastritis students at Jigjiga University’s clinic from May- June 2016. 1.3. Results: In the present study, a total of 145 gastritis students were recruited. The proportion of male and female gastritis students was 63.4% and 36.6% respectively. The prevalence of H. pylori infection among the study participants was 71.0% while its prevalence among male and female participants was 68.5% and 75.5% respectively. Meanwhile, most of the study participants developed khat chewing (52.4%), alcohol drinking (55.9%), and tobacco smoking (43.4%) habits. The prevalence of H. pylori infection among chewers, drunker and smokers were 72.4%, 74.1% and 79.4% respectively. Tobacco smoking showed a trend of significant association with H. pylori infection (p=0.053). Consumption of protein rich food stuffs was also significantly associated with increased infection rate while khat chewing, coffee and tea consumption, and skipping meals were found to exacerbate H. pylori- related gastric complications (p<0.05). Importantly, lack of awareness on the transmission routes of H. pylori infection was strongly associated with increased prevalence of the disease among the study participants (p=0.025). 1.4. Conclusion: The prevalence of H. pylori infection was high among gastritis students in Jigjiga University. Thus, health education on the transmission routes and risk factors of H. pylori infection is underscored in this line to reduce the burden of the disease.