A study of prevalence and risk factors for Helicobacter pylori infection among Adult in Duhok Province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

H. pylori is known to increase the risk of developing gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma, and gastric lymphoma in adults, worldwide. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection and risk factors associated with such infection among adult in Duhok province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. This cross-sectional study was conducted among adult population in Duhok Province, Iraq. During the study period from ۲۰۱۸ to ۲۰۲۰, a total of ۲۵۹ subjects aged more than ۱۸ years who visited the general hospitals were included. H. pylori seropositivity rate was determined using un enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A standardized questionnaire was administered to all study participants through face-to-face interview. The data obtained from H pylori IgG antibody were analyzed using the chi-square test. The prevalence of anti H. pylori IgG antibody positivity was present in ۱۰۴ out۲۵۹ (۴۰.۰۲%) of the adult. Among the studied variables, all the following risk factors were significantly associated with the presence of anti H. pylori IgG antibodies; male (p< ۰.۰۴۳), level of education (p<۰.۰۲۵), history of gastrointestinal diseases (p< ۰.۰۰۱), smoking status (p< ۰.۰۰۱) and a larger sibling number (p< ۰.۰۰۱). This study supports the hypothesis that H. pylori infection in adult is highly related to poor hygiene, smoking status, low level of education and crowded conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to implement effective strategies aimed at enhancing fundamental sanitary conditions, as well as improving educational level and socioeconomic status, in order to reduce the prevalence of H. pylori infection among adults in our region