High Prevalence and Knowledge-Practice Gap of Helicobacter pylori Infection among  Medical Laboratory Science Students in Sokoto, Nigeria

Jidda, Muhammad Lawal; Bunza Jafaru Muhammad; Omaji Promise; Umar Asiya Imam; Dallatu Muhammad Kabiru; Aliyu Kabiru Bello; Rufai M.A.; Maryam Kasimu; Bello, Miftahu; Ogunwale K.A.T.; Yusuf H.D.; Giwa J.I.; Oladele B.S.

Authors

Jidda, Muhammad Lawal Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria; Department of Chemical Pathology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria
Bunza Jafaru Muhammad Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria; Department of Chemical Pathology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria
Omaji Promise Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria; Department of Chemical Pathology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria
Umar Asiya Imam Department of Chemical Pathology & Immunology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria
Dallatu Muhammad Kabiru Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria; Department of Chemical Pathology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria
Aliyu Kabiru Bello Kebbi State Ministry of Health, Nigeria
Rufai M.A. Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
Maryam Kasimu Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria; Department of Chemical Pathology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria
Bello, Miftahu Department of Chemical Pathology, School of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria; Department of Chemical Pathology, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria
Ogunwale K.A.T. Department of Chemical Pathology & Immunology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria
Yusuf H.D. Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria
Giwa J.I. Nigeria Army Reference Hospital, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria
Oladele B.S. Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria; Department of Biomedical Science, University of Salford Manchester, United Kingdom

Keywords:

Helicobacter pylori, Prevalence, Seroprevalence, gastric pathogen, Knowledge-Practice Gap

Abstract

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) is a globally prevalent gastric pathogen and a class I
carcinogen. It is one of the high-prevalence bacterial infections in low and medium-resource settings;
however, data from asymptomatic young adults, particularly health-science students in Nigeria, are
sparse. This study assessed the prevalence, associated knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP)
regarding H. pylori infection among students at the School of Medical Laboratory Science, Usmanu
Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Nigeria.
Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 120 students (at the 200–500 level) was conducted. A well
structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and KAP data.
H. pylori infection status was determined serologically using a rapid immunoassay test strip.
Results: The overall seroprevalence of H. pylori was 80.8% (97/120). While 90% of respondents had
heard of H. pylori, only 5.8% knew that not sharing utensils was a preventive measure against it. The
majority of students (about 95%) who participated in this study reported sharing food and utensils, 89.2%
used sachet water as their primary drinking source, and 92.5% frequently skipped meals. Conclusion:
An alarmingly high prevalence of H. pylori infection was found among medical laboratory students,
coupled with a critical knowledge-practice gap. Despite being health-science trainees, students engaged
in high-risk behaviours that facilitate transmission.

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