INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,
MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)
ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIII, Issue VIII, August 2024
www.ijltemas.in Page 73
recorded 56% and 34% of H. pylori sero-negative respectively. However, 7% and 2% female and male students showed H. pylori
sero-positive respectively.
This study showed that H. pylori is more prevalent in females than male students. This was in contrary to the previous finding
[14] it may be due to cultural difference among students in the research area Moreover, others found no gender related difference
in the prevalence of H. Pylori infection [15]. This work is similar to research carried out in China, (female 60% and male 45%);
Taiwan (Female>59% and male 23%) and Egypt (Female 66% and males 32%). Similarly, in Iraq a higher seroprevalence of
59.72% in females as against 43.75% in males was reported. All these works showed the prevalence of the disease in women to
be higher than that of men and was said to be as a result of the high social activities of women in the homes [16]. In addition, the
high prevalence of female to males is also similar to work done in Ilorin, Nigeria showed a prevalence of females to be >60%
higher than that of the males 30% [17].
Figure 2, revealed H. pylori sero-prevalence to be higher in the age range of 18-22years represented at 5% followed by 23-
27years at 3% the least is 28 and above which showed 1% seropositive. The seropositive were relatively higher at a particular
age range 18 to 22 years, which could be due to their exposure to the infection. However, this investigation were in accordance
with a research in USA, serologic evidence of H. pylori is rarely found before age of 10 years but increases to 10% in those
between 18–30y of age and to 50% in those > 60y [19]. This result is also similar to the findings of various researches done
within Nigeria; the research done in Ibadan by [20] showed that age range 25-30 years had a highest prevalence of 60% compared
to other age ranges, [21] in Warri Teaching Hospital reported that patients with age range 20-30 had the highest prevalence of
84%. However, its contrary to the study conducted in Bauchi [15] and in Pakistan [12].
Figure 3, the sero-prevalence of H. pylori based on locality showed out of 51% students from urban areas 45% were sero-negative
and 6% seropositive while 49% of the students were from rural having 45% sero-negative and 3% sero-positive. This showed that
the infection is more pronounced among students from the urban centres than those from the rural areas. This may be as a result
of the higher population density and level of interaction in the urban centres, where crowded living conditions especially high
number of people at home increased the risk [15].
Figure 4, The nutritional status showed 47% students with balanced diet out of which 3% were H. pylori sero-positive whereas,
44% of the student were recorded non balanced diet out of which 6% were sero-positive. Thus, the students under non-balanced
diet category have comparatively higher percentage of H. pylori sero-positive than the students with balanced diet. The result
showed no relationship between H. pylori and the students’ status of balance and non-balance diet. However, some food such
lipid, spices and other food stuff with high caffeine content can increases the risk factor of ulcer [15].
Figure 5, Prevalence of H. pylori between undergraduate students and NCE students showed that 73% out of which 65% were
tested negative and 8% positive. On the other hand, 27% of the students were undergraduates from which 26% and 1% were
tested positive and negative respectively. The study showed that H. pylori is more prevalent among NCE students than
undergraduate students. This could ascribed to the differences in their educational status that undergraduate students are more
enlightened. However, [18] found that seroprevalence of H. pylori increases with the level of study in the university, with the
highest prevalence of 9.3% in 100 level, followed by 200 level with 6.3% seropositivity. Levels 300 and 400 followed suit with
5.8% and 2.5%, respectively. Moreover, the decrease in seroprevalence progressed from 200, 300 to 400 [19].
V. Conclusion
This work was done using the serology method to ascertain the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection amongst students of
colleges of education Katsina. The findings showed a very low prevalence of this infection among the students which may be
attributed to the good sanitary living, good personal and environmental hygiene of the students. However, the study further
revealed comparatively higher seroprevalence among female students. It is suggested that colleges of education should raise
awareness about the importance of good hygiene practices and to provide access to proper diagnosis and treatment for infected
individuals to prevent transmission and potential health complications associated with H. pylori infection.
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to acknowledge and appreciate the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (Tetfund) Abuja Nigeria, for the grant
received which enable us carried out the research work. We are also grateful to Federal College of Education, Katsina for the
permission granted to conduct the research.
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