OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and associated epidemiological features of Helicobacter pylori infection in child refugees in Western Australia. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional study of 193 eligible African refugee children (aged < 16 years) at their initial health assessment after resettlement in Australia between 1 February and 30 November 2006. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (i) Prevalence of H. pylori infection determined by monoclonal faecal antigen enzyme immunoassay testing (MFAT); (ii) associations of H. pylori infection with epidemiological factors (age, sex, transit through refugee camps, comorbidities and treatment interventions). RESULTS: MFAT was performed in 182 of the 193 children; 149 of these 182 (82%) had H. pylori infection. Age was an independent predictor of H. pylori infection (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; 95% CI, 1.07-1.31). No sex differences were observed. Premigration antimalarial therapy (with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and artesunate) significantly reduced the prevalence of H. pylori infection (age-adjusted OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.15-0.75). CONCLUSION: African refugee children have a high prevalence of H. pylori infection. Increasing age is a strong predictor of infection and antimalarial treatment may have a protective effect.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and associated epidemiological features of Helicobacter pylori infection in child refugees in Western Australia. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional study of 193 eligible African refugee children (aged < 16 years) at their initial health assessment after resettlement in Australia between 1 February and 30 November 2006. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (i) Prevalence of H. pylori infection determined by monoclonal faecal antigen enzyme immunoassay testing (MFAT); (ii) associations of H. pylori infection with epidemiological factors (age, sex, transit through refugee camps, comorbidities and treatment interventions). RESULTS: MFAT was performed in 182 of the 193 children; 149 of these 182 (82%) had H. pylori infection. Age was an independent predictor of H. pylori infection (odds ratio [OR], 1.18; 95% CI, 1.07-1.31). No sex differences were observed. Premigration antimalarial therapy (with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and artesunate) significantly reduced the prevalence of H. pylori infection (age-adjusted OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.15-0.75). CONCLUSION: African refugee children have a high prevalence of H. pylori infection. Increasing age is a strong predictor of infection and antimalarial treatment may have a protective effect.
Authors: Phoebe Aitila; Michael Mutyaba; Simon Okeny; Maurice Ndawula Kasule; Rashid Kasule; Frank Ssedyabane; Benson Okongo; Richard Onyuthi Apecu; Enoch Muwanguzi; Caesar Oyet Journal: J Trop Med Date: 2019-03-07
Authors: Sarah Cherian; David A Forbes; Angus G Cook; Frank M Sanfilippo; Erwin H Kemna; Dorine W Swinkels; David P Burgner Journal: PLoS One Date: 2008-12-24 Impact factor: 3.240