Abstract:

Helicobacter pylori infection is affecting one half to two-thirds of the world population, with high prevalence being in low-income countries. Helicobacter pylori infection has been associated with gastrointestinal and extra gastrointestinal diseases such as iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia. Iron deficiency anemia is the most common form of anemia globally, and it is more prevalent in low-income countries like Tanzania. Several studies looked into the association of H.pylori infection and iron deficiency anemia with the majority being done in dyspeptic patients. The purpose of this study is to look into the association of H.pylori infection and iron deficiency and to know the prevalence of each and associated factors as there are no local studies that have reported into this chapter specifically among the non-dyspeptic adult population. This will help to improve the diagnosis and management of active H.pylori infection and iron deficiency anemia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of H.pylori infection, iron deficiency and irondeficiency anemia and their associated factors in non-dyspeptic adults in Mwanza, Tanzania.

METHODOLOGY: This was a cross-sectional study that involved non-dyspeptic adults. The sample size was 402, study participants were tested for Helicobacter pylori infection with H.pylori stool antigen test. Iron deficiency and anemia were evaluated using complete blood count and serum ferritin. Other tests were qualitative C-reactive protein, stool for occult blood, stool, and urine analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 402 participants were enrolled, 51% were female. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 16.3 % (n=64). The prevalence of iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia among H.pylori infected individuals was 25.4 %( 16/63) and 8.8 %( 5/57) respectively. H.pylori infection did not differ statistically between age groups (p=0.42), gender (p=0.56), level of education (p=0.205), income status (p=0.22) and area of residence (p=0.17). The presence of Iron deficiency was statistically associated with female gender (p<0.001), unbalance diet (p=0.024), low body weight (p=0.02) and leucopenia (p=0.016).

CONCLUSION: In our study, we observed that the prevalence of H.pylori is low among nondyspeptic individuals in our region compared to other parts of the world. We also observed that H.pylori was not associated with iron deficiency. So when it comes to addressing patients with iron deficiency and anemia, other possible causes must be sought as H.pylori may not be among the major culprit in our region.