The Burden and Risk Factors of Helicobacter Pylori Infection Among Government Employees Who Clinically Complain of Indigestion but Allergic Diseases in Southeastern Ethiopia: A Multi-Institution Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is believed to have spread from East Africa, but its burden is still unknown in less privileged regions of Ethiopia. Indigestion is an upset stomach, upper abdomen discomfort, heartburn, and bloating. This study evaluated the burden and risk factors for H. pylori infection among government employees who clinically complained of indigestion but allergic diseases in five public health institutions in Southeastern Ethiopia.

Methods

A health facilities-based cross-sectional survey study was conducted in Southeastern Ethiopia from March to November 2022, employing cluster sampling. Blood specimens, clinical data, and semi-structured questionnaires about risk factors were collected. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression in STATA software, Windows version 16.1.

Results

The overall prevalence of infection was found to be 77.6%. The sampled health institution (ρ-value < 0.05), engagement in sideline business (ρ-value < 0.05), sharing local spoon on meal [AOR = 39.30; CI:19.52 −78.31; ρ-value < 0.001], admitting “Gursha” during meal [AOR = 71.48; CI:3.99 −1279.77; ρ-value < 0.05], the toilet type [AOR = 1410.98; CI:121.16 −16,431.19; ρ-value < 0.001], alcohol drinking [AOR = 15.15; CI:1.90 −120.62; ρ-value < 0.05], sleeping hours length [AOR = 15.01; CI:13.48–55.96; ρ-value < 0.001], chewing Khat [AOR = 76.73; CI:8.57–687.07; ρ-value < 0.001], and regular hand washing before eating [AOR = 0.15; CI:0.12–0.19; ρ-value < 0.05] were the independent predictors of H. pylori infection.

Conclusion

The prevalence rate of H. pylori infection in Southeastern Ethiopia is agonizingly high, exceeding the world average by 27.6%, the first report, and seems to be one of the neglected infectious diseases. Hence, the Oromia Region Health Bureau should reinvigorate the basic infectious disease control methods, establish routine laboratory diagnostic platforms, and intervene in selected societal practices spreading infections.

Keywords:

• Burden
• determinants of Helicobacter pylori infection
• government employees
• indigestion
• allergic diseases
• Southeastern Ethiopia

Abbreviations

AAU, Addis Ababa University; AOR, Adjusted Odds Ratio; CI, Confidence Interval; COR, Crude Odds Ratio; ELISA, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; LMICs, Low- and Middle-income Countries; IgG, Immunoglobulin G; IPD, In-Patient Department; MALT, Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue; mL, Milliliter; MWU, Madda Walabu University; nM, Nanometer; OPD, Out-Patient Department; SNNPRS, Southern Nations, Nationalities and People’s Regional State; STATA, Data Analysis and Statistical Software; U, Unit; UN, United Nations.

Data Sharing Statement

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Ethics Approval and Informed Consent

The study project obtained an ethical approval letter from the Research and Development Directorate of Madda Walabu University (Bale, Ethiopia); the ethical approval letter code was MWU-BAC-1054-12-2021. All participants in the study provided their written informed consent before the collection of data, and participation was fully voluntarily. The Helsinki Declaration on Biomedical Ethics served as the guide for conducting this study. The data gathered from the study subjects was kept private. Mini-compensation for individuals who tested positive for H. pylori infection were made and monitored by the clinical staff (doctors or health officers) in charge of the hospital or health center until the completion of the full-dosage of the administered antibiotics. Those who tested positive for the bacteria were given the current treatment regimen recommended by the Yirga Cheffe General Hospital.

Acknowledgments

The laboratory department of Yirga Cheffe General Hospital, all leadership from the sampled hospitals and Gassera Health Center, the data collectors, and, for the most part, the study participants, are acknowledged by the authors. Also, the authors are grateful to Mr Tesfaye Faye (from the department of Geography and Environmental Studies of MWU) for delineating the map of the study area.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no competing interests in this work.

Additional information

Funding

The study was funded by Madda Walabu University (MWU) and Addis Ababa University (AAU). However, both Universities, MWU and AAU, have no role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data, and in writing the manuscript.