Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients frequently experience upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT) symptoms that cause considerable morbidity and are due to multiple etiologies. However, there is scarcity of information on the common etiologies that can cause these symptoms among these patients. The role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) gastric mucosa infection in HIV positive adults in relation to upper GIT symptoms in not well documented.
Objectives: This study aimed at determining the prevalence and factors associated with Helicobacter pylori infection among HIV infected adults at Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza.
Methods: Analytical cross-sectional based study involving 148 of HIV infected adults patients was conducted at Bugando Medical Centre, Mwanza from May 2019 to June 2019. Stool specimens were collected and detection of Helicobacter pylori antigens was done by using H. pylori stool antigen tests. Data were analyzed using STATA version 13 as per study objectives.
The mean age of the study participants was 41.87±11.88 years. The prevalence of H. pylori antigen was 30 (20.27%, 27%, CI: 13.79-26.74). Advanced age (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.00-1.08 p-value=0.029) was significantly associated with H. pylori positivity.
Conclusion: H. pylori is highly prevalence among HIV adults was significantly associated with advanced age. Improving living conditions, education in hygiene, screening and treatment strategies aimed at high risk populations to reduce associated complications of H. pylori infection in resource constraint are warranted.
--Microbiology and Immunology--Internal Medicine --Medical Laboratory Sciences