부산대학교 도서관

Most of the Helicobacter pylori infections occur in developing countries. The risk factors for H. pylori infections are poverty, overcrowding, and unhygienic conditions, which are common problems in under-privileged countries such as Nepal. Despite having a high risk of H. pylori infections, no national level study has been conducted to assess prevalence and correlates of H. pylori infection in Nepal. Therefore, we hypothesized that micronutrients such as iron, vitamin B12 deficiency, socio-economic status, and nutritional status correlate with the prevalence of H. pylori infection in Nepal. We studied prevalence and correlates of H. pylori infection among under-five children, adolescents aged 10–19 years and married women of reproductive age (aged 20–49 years) using data from the Nepal National Micronutrient Status Survey 2016 (NNMSS-2016). H. pylori infection was examined in stool specimens of 6–59 months old children, and 20–49 years old non-pregnant women by using a rapid diagnostic kit while blood samples was used to assess the H. pylori infection among adolescent boys and girls. Prevalence of H. pylori infection was 18.2% among 6–59 months old children, 14% among adolescent boys and 16% among adolescent girls aged 10–19 years; and 40% among 20–49 years non-pregnant women. Poor socioeconomic status, crowding, and unhygienic condition were found to be positively associated with higher incidence of H. pylori infections. No significant correlation was observed between nutritional and micronutrients status (iron or risk of folate deficiency) and H. pylori infection. Findings from this study suggest that poverty-associated markers are primary contributors of H. pylori infections in Nepalese communities. To control acquisition and persistence of H. pylori infection in Nepal, we suggest improved management of safe drinking water and implementation of sanitation and hygiene programs, with a focus on those of lower socioeconomic status. Author summary: Helicobacter pylori is associated with a wide spectrum of gastrointestinal diseases and is a common problem in tropical region where inter-human contact is the primary mode of disease transmission. Poor socio-economic status is a crucial fueling factor of H. pylori infection. In this study, the authors present data from Nepal national micronutrient status survey 2016 (NNMSS-2016) and investigated the risk factors associated with H. pylori infections among under-five years old children, 10–19 years old adolescent boys and girls, and 20–49 years non-pregnant women nationwide. Study findings corroborate that poverty-associated markers are the key driving factor of H. pylori infections in Nepal, which can have a manifold effect on nutrition and subsequent child growth retardation. Management of safe drinking water and implementation of sanitation and hygiene practices to decrease acquisition of H. pylori infection is a pressing need in rural parts of Nepal and among marginalized communities. The findings of this study highlight the varied prevalence of H. pylori by age group, gender, place of residence, ethnic group, and ecological zone of the country. Moreover, no significant correlation was observed between nutritional and micronutrients status and H. pylori infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]