FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE HELICOBACTER PYLORI INFECTION AMONGST PATIENTS WITH PEPTIC ULCER DISEASE AT KISUMU COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITAL

Abstract

Study background: Helicobacter pylori infections are becoming a great concern to the public health sector globally. The pathogen lives in the host stomach and causes inflammation of the mucosal lining leading to gastritis, duodenal, and gastric ulcers. Consequently, the infection can also progress to severe diseases such as stomach cancers, whose prognosis is poor, thus resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Since the condition is more projected in developing than developed countries, the local communities around KCRH are no exception. So, we need to determine the factors contributing to the infections and implement measures to prevent the occurrence in our setup. Hence, the study will be necessary to meet the need mentioned above by determining the prevalence of H. pylori infections among patients with peptic ulcer disease and the associated risk factors at KCRH. Objective: To determine the factors contributing to Helicobacter pylori infection among patients with peptic ulcer disease at KCRH.