Epidemiological investigation and risk factors analysis of Helicobacter pylori infection in children and teenagers in Hainan Province

BACKGROUND: The objective of this research was to determine the prevalence and potential risk factors of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections in children and teenagers within Hainan Province, China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data for this study were obtained from an epidemiological survey conducted in five cities in Hainan Province (Dongfang City, Haikou City, Wuzhishan City, Qionghai City, and Sanya City) from March 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. A total of 2123 participants were screened for H. pylori infection using the 13 C-urea breath test (13 C-UBT). Additionally, we explored the relationships between various factors and H. pylori infection by conducting chi-square tests and performing multiple logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The total prevalence of H. pylori in children and teenagers in Hainan Province was about 20.77%.In the multivariate analysis, the prevalence of H. pylori infection was positively correlated with frequent consumption of pickled food, frequent consumption of fried food, frequent drinking, frequent drinking of milk tea, frequent drinking of coffee, frequent eating of roadside stalls, father’s educational level is primary or secondary school, high or even unbearable academic pressure, family members with a history of stomach disease, and family members with a history of H. pylori infection. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of H. pylori infection in children and teenagers in Hainan Province was observed to be moderate and closely related to education level, diet habit, health condition and family members’ disease history. CLINICAL TRIAL: Not applicable.