Aim:

To determine the frequency of Helicobacter pylori and sociodemographic factors, life habits, and personal and family history of gastroduodenal diseases in patients who required and were taken to GI endoscopy (symptomatic or by screening) in seven endoscopy units in three Antioquia subregions.

Materials and methods:

A cross-sectional study conducted between 2016 and 2018 included 272 participants. Sociodemographic factors, life habits, and personal and family history were related to H. pylori infection. Descriptive statistics and bivariate analysis were performed to establish the association between the variables, and multivariate analysis (binomial regression) was used to adjust the prevalence ratios of the associated factors. A p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

The frequency of H. pylori infection was 55.9%, with differences by subregion (Valle de Aburrá metropolitan area: 54.3%, Oriente: 64%, and Urabá: 79.2%). Factors associated with H. pylori infection were male sex (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR] = 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04-1.52), age 18-55 years (APR = 1.62; CI 95% = 1.22-2.16), absence of drinking water (APR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.15-1.72) and educational level below university (APR = 1.73; 95% CI% = 1.26-2.38).

Conclusion:

The frequency of H. pylori was higher than in other recent studies because different diagnostic tests were used for its detection, and differences were found in the frequency of infection by region, which is explained by the heterogeneity in the populations analyzed. This study suggests the need to improve the population’s living conditions to reduce H. pylori and direct measures of primary prevention of the infection, especially in family groups, men, individuals between 18 and 55 years old without drinking water, and with an educational level lower than university.

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