Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and predictors of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection among patients attending a healthcare facility in Nigeria. Methods: Blood samples were collected between July–August, 2016 from 240 patients who gave informed consent and completed self-administered questionnaires. Out of the 240 subjects, 101 (42.1%) were male and 139 (57.9%) were female. Plasma samples were examined for anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies using a commercial antibody-based kit. Results: Out of the 240 subjects, 135 (56.3%) were seropositive. Of these, 53 (52.5%) males and 82 (59.0%) females were infected. Age and alcohol consumption were significant predictors of infection (P < 0.05). Although subjects who were female, married, full time house wives and lived in urban areas were more likely to be infected, there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Infection with H. pylori was found among patients attending a tertiary healthcare facility in Nigeria. High proportions of patients (56.3%) were infected in the study area. Our findings have public health significance for the prevention and control of the infection in Nigeria.

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