Background: The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection worldwide varies greatly among countries and among population groups within the same country. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of H. pylori infection among Medical Sciences' students of Hodeidah University, Yemen.
Methods: A total of 150 students were recruited (50 males [33.3%] and 100 females [66.7%]) with a mean age of 21.6±1.6 years (age varied from 19 to 27 years).
General characteristics and other relevant information of the students in this study were collected using pre-designed questionnaire, which included information such as demographic data, clinical symptoms and socioeconomic status.
Serum samples were collected from all volunteers and then blood rapid qualitative serologic test was used for the diagnosis of H. pylori by detecting H. pylori antibodies.
Results: The prevalence of H. pylori was 68% (102 of the volunteers showed positive results). The higher infection rate was reported in females (69.6% of positive results= 71 female volunteers) with no significant difference between the positive and negative results.
Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of H. pylori infection in our young university Medical Sciences' students' population This high prevalence in this young population may have both important clinical and economic implications.