Helicobacter pylori seropositivity among adolescents in Novosibirsk, Russia: prevalence and associated factors.
OBJECTIVE
We have reported previously that infection is widespread among adults in Siberia, in whom prevalence rates range from 70% to 90%. The present study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of infection and its relation to social factors in a community-based population of adolescents in Novosibirsk, Western Siberia.


METHODS
All students in forms 9 to 11 of four randomly selected secondary schools participated. A total of 423 students (180 boys, 243 girls; age, 14-17 years) completed structured questionnaire concerning their lifestyle, and sera were tested for using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Pyloriset -New EIA-G; Orion Diagnostica, Finland). Personal information, including parental history, educational level, occupation, and smoking habits, were collected via a questionnaire.


RESULTS
Overall, the seroprevalence of infection was 56.3%. Age, sex, smoking, alcohol consumption, number of children and pets in the household, and family history of gastric diseases were not associated with positivity. The predictors of infection were dwelling without running hot water supply and sewage (odds ratio [OR] = 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-4.8), father's occupation as a manual worker (OR = 2.7; 95% CI, 1.5-5.0), mother's occupation as a manual worker (OR = 1.8; 95% CI, 1.0-3.0), father's lower educational attainment (OR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.6), and father's smoking (OR = 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-3.2).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of seropositivity among adolescents in Russia is higher than in developed countries. The infection is associated with lower socioeconomic status.
Reshetnikov
Oleg V
OV
Institute of Internal Medicine, Novosibirsk, Russia. itr@online.nsk.su
Denisova
Diana V
DV
Zavyalova
Larisa G
LG
Häivä
Veli-Mies
VM
Granberg
Christer
C
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires