Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Helicobacter Pylori Infection in Children in the North of Vietnam

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.