Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in children less than three years of age in health facilities in Nairobi Province.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in children less than three years of age and to determine socio-demographic correlates of Helicobacter pylori infection in these children.

DESIGN

Cross sectional study.

SETTING

The "well baby clinics", in Nairobi Province.

SUBJECTS

Children less than three years of age.

RESULTS

A total of 195 children were analysed in the study. There were 103 (52.8%) males and 92(47.2%) females giving a male to female ratio of 1.1:1. The mean age was 17.7 months and the median age was 16 months (range 2 weeks to 36 months). H. pylori antigen was found in stool of 89(45.6%) of the children. Low socio-economic status, crowding in the homes and poor sanitation were associated with H. pylori infection.

CONCLUSION

There is a high prevalence rate of H. pylori infection in children less than three years as found in this study which is in agreement with studies done in other developing countries. Family income is associated with H. pylori infection and families with low income are at higher predisposition to H. pylori infection when compared to families with high income.