Seroprevalence, risk factors and comorbidities associated with infection amongst children receiving care at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center.

Background: frequently causes gastritis and peptic ulcers, and affected children are at risk of developing gastric carcinoma later in adulthood.

Methods: This was a Hospital based cross sectional study. A total of 200 children aged 6 months to 14 years were enrolled. Study subjects were tested for using a standard serology rapid test measuring immunoglobulin G for . For risk factors, Chi-square tests were used to test for association and then, odds ratios and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals and p-values were computed using logistic regression.

Results: The overall seroprevalence of was 11.5%. The following factors were associated with H. pylori infection: Age group above 10 years, keeping a dog and household size. The independent predictors of were: Fathers' occupation, keeping a dog, indoor tap water, age group, household size and diabetes mellitus type 1..

Conclusion: The seroprevalence of antibodies was lower compared to most developing countries. Keeping a dog, household size, indoor tap water, fathers' occupation and diabetes mellitus type 1 were found to be independent predictors of presence of antibodies.