title: Prevalence of and factors associated with Helicobacter pylori infection in children in the north of Vietnam.
abstract: The study aimed at evaluating the seroprevalence of and sociodemographic, health, lifestyle, and environmental hygiene conditions associated with Helicobacter pylori infection in Vietnamese children. Data from 824 children, aged from 6 months to 15 years and gastrointestinal symptom free when consulted, admitted to a university hospital, were collected using a structured questionnaire and ELISA test for H. pylori infection. The data were examined using univariate and multivariate analyses. H. pylori seroprevalence was 34.0%. Age groups from 3 to 6 years and older than 6, and number of offspring were positively and independently associated with H. pylori seropositivity [adjusted OR (95% CI): 2.9 (1.5-5.5); 1.9 (1.1-3.1) and 1.8 (1.1-2.6), respectively]. Breastfeeding more than 6 months was negatively and independently associated with H. pylori seropositivity [adjusted OR (95% CI): 0.5 (0.3-0.9)]. Mother's age, history of allergy, gastro-duodenal disease history in the past, initiating collective life before 6 years, sharing bed with parents and time of bed sharing with parents > 24 months were positively but not independently associated with H. pylori seropositivity. None of the other environmental or lifestyle conditions examined was associated with H. pylori infection. Our results support person-to-person transmission and the role of sociodemographic factors in H. pylori infection.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Department, Hanoi Medical University, Hanoi, Vietnam. hongbang52@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Bang V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Khanh G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.forename: Cam D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Phung
authors.forename: Odile
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kremp
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kalach
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dupont
authors.forename: Josette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Raymond
authors.forename: Gwenaëlle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vidal-Trecan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D001942:Breast Feeding; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission; D016480:Helicobacter pylori / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology