Abstract

Helicobacter Pylori infection has been identified as an important risk factor for the development of peptic ulcer disease (PUD). The aim of 
this study is to determine the prevalence of H. pylori infection and associated risk factors among undergraduate students of Babcock University. 
The serum and stool samples of 200 participants (85 males and 115 females) were randomly collected and screened using H. pylori antibody/
antigen test Cassettes supplied by Blue Cross Bio-Medical, Beijing, China. The demographic and clinical information of the participants were 
also collected using a structured questionnaire. The outcome of the study show that out of the 200 participants screened, 56 (28.0%) were 
positive for Helicobacter Pylori serum antibody, while 47 (23.5%) were positive for Helicobacter Pylori stool antigen. Of the 85 male students 
tested, 7 (8.2%) tested positive for the serum antibody, while 6 (7.1%) were positive for the stool antigen. On the other hand, 49 (42.6%) out 
of the 115 female students tested were positive for the serum antibody, while 41 (35.7%) were positive for the stool antigen. Prevalence of 
Helicobacter Pylori infection was found to be significantly higher (P<0> On the basis of age, the prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori infection was found to be significantly higher (P<0> were 21-25 years old when compared to other age groups. With regard to clinical indications of PUD, 108 (54.0%) of the participants were 
asymptomatic, out of which 20 (37.0%) of them were positive for Helicobacter Pylori serum antibody, while 18 (17.0%) were positive for the 
stool antigen. Symptomatic participants complained mostly of heart burn, followed by loss of appetite, abdominal pain, nausea, dark foul-
smelling stool and lastly, vomiting. Howbeit, none of them complained of vomiting blood. Identifiable risk factor associated with infection 
include: past history of H. pylori infection/gastric diseases, drinking of raw cow milk, consumption of beef, fish, poultry products, vegetables 
and fruits. This study provides data on the existence of Helicobacter Pylori infection among students of Babcock University, hence the need for 
public awareness and clinical management in this regard.