Epidemiological Survey on Helicobacter pylori Infection of the Telegraphic Employees in Two Different Districts of Guangdong Province

Objective To perform epidemiological study on Helicobacter pylori infection in telegraphic employees in Guangzhou and Shanwei, and to compare the prevalence of H.pylori infection in the coastal and inland cities in Guangdong province. Method 2379 employees from telegraphic companies of Guangzhou and Shanwei were examined between Sep. 2006 and Jan. 2007. Blood samples were obtained for serological analysis by dot immunochromatographic assay. Result The infection rate of H.pylori in Shanwei (34.35%) was significantly higher than Guangzhou (23.73%,χ2=29.964, P 0.01). The infection rate was increasing with age in these two districts. The highest infection rate was in the age group older than 51. The positive rate of infection in the male (24.82%) and female subjects (20.97%) was similar in Guangzhou and the difference was not significant (χ2=2.260, P=0.103). In Shanwei, the infection rate was 35.14% in the male subjects and 33.65% in the female subjects, and the difference was not significant (χ2=0.191, P=0.662). Conclusion In Guangzhou, the incidence of H.pylori infection is markedly lower than Shanwei. Each district should develop their preventive measures for the prevention of infection.