Helicobacter pylori infection and associated factors in adults from the northern highlands of Peru

Background: Helicobacter pylori affects more than 50% of the world's population, being more prevalent in populations of low socioeconomic status. H. pylori is the main cause of gastric cancer globally. Aim: To establish the frequency and factors associated with H. pylori infection in adults living in the historic center of Cajamarca City, in northern Peru. Methods: : This was a descriptive study that included 124 individuals surveyed through a questionnaire and evaluated through endoscopy and gastric biopsy culture. One biopsy per person underwent the urease test, and the cultures were confirmed by PCR. Results: : The frequency of infection was 60.5% (95% CI 51.3- 69.2). In the univariate analysis, there was a significant association between the infection and age (p = 0.002), and between the infection and a history of gastric pathology (p = 0.015). The multivariate analysis revealed two associated factors: age (OR = 0.94; 95% CI 0.90- 0.97), and history of H. pylori infection (OR = 0.23; 95% CI 0.08- 0.67). Conclusions: : There is a high frequency of H. pylori infection in this population, and the age and history of H. pylori infection are factors that should be further evaluated.