Helicobacter Pylori Prevalence in Communities from Southern Regions of Romania with Limited Access to Health Services: A Cross-sectional Study.

Background and aims: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has an unknown prevalence in certain Romanian regions. We aimed to estimate it in communities from Southern regions of Romania with limited access to health services.

Methods: We designed a cross-sectional study to include adult voluntary participants in the "Health in the neighborhood" medical assistance program. This was offered in villages with deprived healthcare availability from Southern regions of Romania. An immunochromatographic assay for the qualitative detection of H. pylori stool antigen was used for testing.

Results: We included 708 adult voluntary participants in 10 villages, 6 from Muntenia and Oltenia Regions (Southern Romania), 2 from Dobrogea and 2 from Moldova (2.4% of all village inhabitants). H. pylori prevalence in Romanian Southern regions was 28.2%, (95%CI: 24-32.6%), and overall was 27.1%, (95%CI: 23.9-30.6%). There were no significant differences of H. pylori infection pertaining to regions distribution (p=0.711), gender ratio (p=0.779), age distribution (p=0.471) and hemoglobin value (p=0.503).

Conclusions: H. pylori prevalence in communities from Southern regions of Romania with limited access to health services was 28.2%, 95%CI: 24-32.6%.