Knowledge about causes of peptic ulcer disease -- United States, March-April 1997.

An estimated 25 million persons in the United States have had peptic ulcer disease (PUD) during their lifetimes. A high proportion (at least 90%) of PUD cases are caused by infection with Helicobacter pylori-an association first reported in 1983. However, in 1995, most (72%) of the general public was unaware of this association. To increase awareness among the general public and health-care providers about the relation between H. pylori infection and PUD, CDC, in collaboration with other federal agencies, academic institutions, and partners from private industry, has developed an awareness and education campaign. The campaign is being initiated during October 19-25, 1997, in conjunction with National Infection Control Week. In preparation for the education campaign, during early 1997 a population-based survey was conducted to provide more current estimates of knowledge about the causes of PUD. This report summarizes the survey findings and describes the campaign; the findings indicate that only 27% of the general public is aware of the association between H. pylori infection and PUD.