Risk Factors of Helicobacter Pylori for Hispanics Living in Southern Arizona

Abstract

This thesis investigated the occurrence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and other riskfactors associated with gastric health in Hispanic communities as part of The Southern Arizona Healthy Stomach Project (SoAZHSP). This thesis report assessed tap water samples for culturable microorganism and metals, H. pylori infection using the urea breath test (UBT), and household and individual surveys to statistically assess predictors of known and identifiable risk factors of H. pylori infections in this subpopulation. Thirty-three percent (n=14 of 42) of the subpopulation tested positive for H. pylori. In the United States (US), H. pylori infection prevalence estimates range between 17.6% and 36.0%, while H. pylori prevalence rates for Hispanics living in the US range between 38% and 62%. Factors such as lack of health insurance (p=0.02), low consumption of restaurant and/or fast food (p =0.02), older age (p=0.04), lack of alcohol consumption (p=0.01), and tap water quality (p=0.04 for total coliforms detection) were predictors of H. pylori infections. Furthermore, only 41.9% of participants had heard of H. pylori, indicating low awareness. Despite sample size and reporting bias limitations, this report highlights the multifaceted nature of H. pylori infections and the importance of improving H. pylori awareness, water quality, health care access, and food hygiene practices. These findings underscore the need for targeted, comprehensive interventions to address H. pylori infections in Hispanic communities to improve overall health outcomes.