Prevalence of Helicobacter Pylori Antibody among Outpatients of Federal Medical Center, Yenagoa, Niger Delta Region of Nigeria

Helicobacter Pylori is the most common chronic bacterial infection (acquired early childhood) in humans affecting 50% of the world population and much attention has not been paid to this. This study was carried out between February and October 2019 to test for the presence of Helicobacter Pylori antibody among asymptomatic individuals attending Federal Medical Center, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. A total of 200 {114(57%) males, 86(43%) females} blood samples were collected at ramdom into Ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) bottles and immediately transported to the laboratory for analysis using Helicobacter pylori Serology rapid blood test kit. Age was stratified to allow for comparison because the entire outcome was age dependent. Chi square analysis was conducted for the categorical variable. Findings showed that out of 200 samples examined, 88(44%) forty (40 (45%) males and 48(55%) females were positive to Helicobacter pylori infection while 112(56%) were negative. Females of age range 24 -33 had the highest prevalence of 24 (27%) while male of age group 14 to 23 had 21(24%); females of 34 to 44 was 16(18%); 54-63 had 4(05%) and the least was 44 to 53 years with prevalence of 3(03%).  There was a significant difference across the age group and socio-demographic characteristic at p-value = 0.0001 < 0.05 and p-value =0.002068 < 0.05, p-value = 0.000916 <0.05 respectively. Observations showed the higher prevalence in females (53%) than their males (47%) counterparts; likewise the infected individuals host this organism ignorantly and busy treating out of line.  Study with more than one diagnostic technique is recommended to determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori, as rapid blood test is limited due to the presence of antibody in the serum for long after eradication. In conclusion, routine medical examination on Helicobacter pylori is encouraged among individuals in respective of age and status.