The Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and Related Factors among University Students in Turkey

The frequency and risk factors for contamination of Helicobacter pylori infection was investigated among Sakarya University students. Two-hundred students randomly chosen from among those who volunteered for the study and met its criteria were included. Data were obtained by a questionnaire. H. pylori positivity was checked with the monoclonal H. pylori stool antigen test. Statistical analysis was done with chi-square test. The average age of the subjects was 21.14 ± 2.06, and 76% of them were female. Monthly family income was below 575 Euros in 69.5% of them, and 56% were living in state dormitories. H. pylori positivity was found to be as high as 63% in our group. According to the qustionnaire (age, gender, blood groups, family income, crowded family living conditions, smoking, alcohol and caffeine consumption, the presence of gastric symptoms, family history, and hygienic behaviors), no statistical differences were found between the H. pylori positive and negative students. These data support the finding that personal and environmental conditions in adults did not affect H. pylori infectivity, and that H. pylori might be acquired in childhood.