Epidemiological investigation of Helicobacter pylori infection in Lhasa region

Abstract

Objective To investigate current status and the influencing factors of Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection in Lhasa region. Methods From November 2015 to July 2016, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 1 000 individuals in Lhasa region and H. pylori infection was detected by 13C urea breath test. Chi-square test and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were performed for statistical analysis. Results Among 1 000 individuals, 576 (57.60%) cases were infected by H. pylori. The H. pylori infection rate in people less than 60 years old was 59.32% (538/907), which was higher than that of people no less than 60 years old (40.86%, 38/93), and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=11.765, P<0.01). The higher the education level, the lower the infection rate of H. pylori (χ2=16.381, P=0.001). The difference in the infection rate of H. pylori in different occupations was statistically significant (χ2=28.699, P<0.01). The infection rate of H. pylori was lowest in mental workers (45.77%, 119/260) and was highest in heavy labor worker (79.35%, 123/155), and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=44.985, P<0.01). The lower the family annual income, the higher the infection rate of H. pylori (χ2=84.472, P<0.01). Raw meat intake (odd ratio (OR)=1.725, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.192 to 2.249), dietary taste (OR=1.316, 95%CI 1.056 to 1.564) and sharing dishware (OR=2.723, 95%CI 1.973 to 3.431) were positively correlated with H. pylori infection (all P<0.01), and family income was negatively correlated with H. pylori infection (OR=3.205, 95%CI 2.358 to 4.056, P<0.01). Conclusion The infection rate of H. pylori decreased in Lhasa region compared to that of 10 years ago, which may be due to the improved dietary habit as well as social-economic condition. Key words: Helicobacter pylori; Epidemiology; Lhasa region