Prevalence of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> and hygiene practices among public secondary school students in Ikeja local government area, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

This study determined prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and hygiene practices among public secondary school students in Ikeja Local Government Area (LGA), Lagos state, Nigeria. An institutional-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among two randomly selected secondary schools. One hundred (100) con sented students participated in the study and interviews were conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire while blood samples were collected by venipuncture. Respondents’ ages were 16.1 ± 2.8 years and 54.0% were females. Mean number of persons living in a room was 7.0 ± 3.5, and however, 39.0% of the respondents lived in a room with 4 - 6 persons. The prevalence of H. pylori was 59.0% (59/100). Majority, 64.4% of those infected with H. pylori were 15 years and above while 62.7% females were tested positive to H. pylori. Some, 38.9% of the participants infected with H . pylori drink tap water while 84.7% did hand washing after visiting toilets with water and soap. Mostly, 64.0% of those tested positive to H. pylori did not experience abdominal pain in the last 4 weeks. No significant association existed between drinking water source, hand washing practice after defecation and H . pylori positivity. Routine examination of school students is required to detect Helicobacter pylori in order t o commence treatment immediately and aware ness about the H . pylori infection should be increased throughout secondary school to prevent further infection.