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Microbes & Immunity

REVIEW ARTICLE
Helicobacter pylori: A Cause of peptic ulcer

disease among Adolescent Girls in Africa

Komal Zulfiqar 1 , Maria Qadri 2 , Sulafa Rasheed Ahmed Ali , and Malik
3
Olatunde Oduoye *
4
1 Department of Medicine, MBBS, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan
2 Department of Medicine, MBBS, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
3 Department of Microbiology, Elfarabi College for Science and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan
4 Department of Research, The Medical Research Circle, Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a major global health concern that often results in
hospitalization due to insufficient protective factors in the mucosa. Helicobacter
pylori contributes to PUD development, causing symptoms such as epigastric
pain, bloating, fullness, and nausea. An extensive literature search was conducted
using electronic databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar to identify articles
published between 2013 and 2024. Relevant cross-sectional studies, systematic
reviews, meta-analyses, literature reviews, and case reports were included in the
analysis, whereas editorials, perspectives, and commentaries were excluded from
the study. Overall, 20% of teenagers and 45% of individuals aged >45 years were
infected with H. pylori, indicating that transmission can occur at any age during
*Corresponding author: childhood and adolescence. Moreover, 8.4% of adolescents aged 10 – 19 years and
Malik Olatunde Oduoye 64.6% of those aged <18 years tested positive for H. pylori. This bacterium can spread
(malikolatunde36@gmail.com)
through familial transmission and exposure to oral or fecal matter. Large households
Citation: Zulfiqar K, Qadri M, and bedroom sharing were associated with H. pylori infection, and adolescents from
Ali SRA, Oduoye MO. Helicobacter
pylori: A Cause of peptic ulcer rural areas showed a higher infection rate than those from urban areas. Improving
disease among Adolescent Girls personal hygiene and implementing educational initiatives within families are key
in Africa. Microbes & Immunity. to curbing the spread of H. pylori infection in Africa. Prioritizing hygiene and social
2024;1(2):3-11.
doi: 10.36922/mi.3078 improvements in national and subnational strategies can considerably reduce
infection rates. Adopting a whole family-based approach and allocating funds for
Received: March 4, 2024
relevant projects can benefit families and children across the continent. Moreover,
Accepted: July 16, 2024 prompt implementation of interventions to combat H. pylori infection among
Published Online: October 15, African adolescents is essential. Promoting cleanliness and raising awareness are key
2024 strategies to ensure long-term health among the African youth.
Copyright: © 2024 Author(s).
This is an Open-Access article
distributed under the terms of the Keywords: Peptic ulcer disease; Helicobacter pylori; Adolescent girls; Africa
Creative Commons Attribution
License, permitting distribution,
and reproduction in any medium,
provided the original work is
properly cited. 1. Introduction
Publisher’s Note: AccScience One of the main causes of gastrointestinal diseases, which often require hospitalization,
Publishing remains neutral with is peptic ulcer disease (PUD). PUD has been reported since the 4 century B.C.,
th
1
1
regard to jurisdictional claims in 2
published maps and institutional affecting 5 – 10% of the population worldwide. PUD occurs when protective factors
affiliations. within the mucosa, such as mucus secretion, bicarbonate production, and blood flow,
Volume 1 Issue 2 (2024) 3 doi: 10.36922/mi.3078