Epidemiological survey on Helicobacter pylori infection among rural population of South and North of Shaanxi Province

Objective:To understand epidemiological differences of Helicobacter pylori infection among rural population of South and North of Shaanxi province and to provide scientific basis for prevention and control strategies.Methods:Selected 671residents from two villages randomly from South and North of Shaanxi Province and detected Helicobacter pylori infection with serum Hp antibody and 14Cbreath test.Results:Helicobacter pylori infection rate in rural population of North of Shaanxi was significantly higher than that in South of Shaanxi(58.4%vs.38.9%,χ2=23.115,P0.01).There was no statistically significant difference in Helicobacter pylori infection rate between men and women in both regions(χ2 =0.013,P0.05;χ2=1.383,P0.05).Helicobacter pylori infection rate of rural population in two regions increased as age first and then decreased,but no significant difference was found within the same age group.The peak prevalence group is under the age of 50.Conclusion:Helicobacter pylori infection rate of rural population in North of Shaanxi is significantly higher than that in South of Shaanxi and there was no statistical difference between genders.Helicobacter pylori infection rate increased as age first and then decreased with age in both two regions.