The epidemiology of Helicobacter pylori infection in African refugee children resettled in Australia

Abstract

To determine the prevalence and associated epidemiological features of Helicobacter pylori infection in child refugees in Western Australia. Cross-sectional study of 193 eligible African refugee children (aged < 16 years) at their initial health assessment after resettlement in Australia between 1 February and 30 November 2006. (i) Prevalence of H. pylori infection determined by monoclonal faecal antigen enzyme immunoassay testing (MFAT); (ii) associations of H. pylori infection with epidemiological factors (age, sex, transit through refugee camps, comorbidities and treatment interventions). MFAT was performed in 182 of the 193 children; 149 of these 182 (82%) had H. pylori infection. Age was an independent predictor of H. pylori infection (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; 95% CI, 1.07-1.31). No sex differences were observed. Premigration antimalarial therapy (with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and artesunate) significantly reduced the prevalence of H. pylori infection (age-adjusted OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.15-0.75). African refugee children have a high prevalence of H. pylori infection. Increasing age is a strong predictor of infection and antimalarial treatment may have a protective effect.