SEROPREVALENCE OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI AND HEPATITIS A VIRUS AMONG ORPHANAGE CHILDREN IN SANA’A, YEMEN

Wadhah Hassan Edrees; Nasser Mohammad Al-Aomary; Lutf Mohammed Alrahabi; Jameela Mohemmed Thabit; Hamzah Muhammed Ali; Aseel Qasim Saran; Abdullah Abdul Karim Saleh; Eyad Mohammed Al-shaouri; Mohammed Taleb Al-Nahdi; Fadel Ahmed Dibwan

doi:10.22270/ujpr.v8i2.927

Wadhah Hassan Edrees Medical Microbiology Department, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Hajjah University, Yemen. Medical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Al-Razi University, Yemen. Medical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Queen Arwa University, Yemen. Yemen Foundation for Research and Health Development, Food and Drug Researches & Studies Center, Yemen.
Nasser Mohammad Al-Aomary Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana’a University, Yemen.
Lutf Mohammed Alrahabi Medical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Queen Arwa University, Yemen.
Jameela Mohemmed Thabit Medical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Queen Arwa University, Yemen.
Hamzah Muhammed Ali Medical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Queen Arwa University, Yemen.
Aseel Qasim Saran Medical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Queen Arwa University, Yemen.
Abdullah Abdul Karim Saleh Medical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Queen Arwa University, Yemen.
Eyad Mohammed Al-shaouri Medical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Queen Arwa University, Yemen.
Mohammed Taleb Al-Nahdi Medical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Queen Arwa University, Yemen.
Fadel Ahmed Dibwan Medical Laboratory Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Queen Arwa University, Yemen.

10.22270/ujpr.v8i2.927

Keywords:

Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori), Hepatitis A virus (HAV), Prevalence, Orphanage Sana'a, Yemen

Abstract

Background: The epidemiological association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) has been evaluated by different groups with conflicting conclusions.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis A virus and H. pylori infection among children of an orphanage in Sana'a, and to identify the socio-demographic factors associated with their prevalence, both individually and simultaneously.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study carried out among 200 orphaned children who lived at Ahmed's orphanage in Sana’a City, Yemen during the period from October 2022 to February 2023. The stool and blood specimens were collected and the required data were filled in pretested questionnaire. By using the immunochromatographic assay technique, the seropositivity of the HAV antibody was screened in blood plasma while the H. pylori antigen was detected in stool. The obtained results were analyzed using SPSS software.

Results: Out of 200 participants; 2(1%) were positive for anti-HAV and 63(31.5%) for H. pylori antigen. The HAV and H. pylori infections, respectively, were significantly higher in the group aged 10-12 and 13-15 years, attending a primary and preparatory school, living with 3-5 individuals/room, their family infected with hepatitis A and H. pylori, and received a blood transfusion. The high risk of hepatitis A infection was in children who their family was infected by HAV and received a blood transfusion while H. pylori was in subjects who had a history of hospitalizations and whose family infected by H. pylori.

Conclusion: The high number of children suffering from both H. pylori and HAV antibodies among orphans in Sana'a indicates a high prevalence rate in the community. It is possible that this high prevalence reflects a prevalence specific to this group or age, and this connection is real.