Helicobacter
Volume 22, Issue 2, 2017

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in newly arrived refugees attending the migrant health service, South Australia (Article)

Abdul Rahim N.R.* , Benson J. , Grocke K. , Vather D. , Zimmerman J. , Moody T. , Mwanri L.
  • a Department of Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  • b Migrant Health Service, Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  • c The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  • d The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  • e The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  • f The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
  • g Discipline of Public Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia

Abstract

Background: To determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in the refugee population attending the Migrant Health Service, South Australia, identify demographic factors associated with infection and compare prevalence of infection in refugees with that of the nonrefugee population in Australia. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted between October 2010 and August 2013. Monoclonal stool antigen testing for H. pylori infection is performed as part of a comprehensive health assessment for newly arrived refugees. The sample population included 922 adults and children. Outcome measures were (i) prevalence of H. pylori infection (ii) association between demographic factors such as sex, ethnicity and age, and H. pylori infection. Results: H. pylori infection was detected in 198 (21.5%) participants (95% CI 18.9%– 24.3%). The odds of infection were lower in females OR 0.71 (95% CI 0.51–0.98) compared to males. Compared to Middle Eastern participants, the odds of infection were 1.75 (95% CI 1.17–2.62) times higher in African and 1.90 (95% CI 1.10–3.26) times higher in Burmese participants. Infection was not associated with age. Discussion and Conclusion: H. pylori infection is common among newly arrived refugees. The long latency of infection to development of complications and the availability of testing and relatively effective eradication regimens all add weight to a decision to screen in this population. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Author Keywords

Refugees Prevalence Epidemiology

Index Keywords

refugee demography human sex difference Refugees middle aged Burmese health service Aged African Cross-Sectional Studies disease surveillance Young Adult school child migrant cross-sectional study Humans Adolescent Infant, Newborn male preschool child Aged, 80 and over Infant very elderly Helicobacter infection risk factor Risk Factors Child, Preschool newborn female prevalence isolation and purification Article South Australia major clinical study adult Helicobacter Infections Helicobacter pylori outcome assessment age distribution ethnicity Bhutanese Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84994310694&doi=10.1111%2fhel.12360&partnerID=40&md5=679b775a610393614d254474da6f87ea
DOI: 10.1111/hel.12360
ISSN: 10834389
Cited by: 4
Original Language: English