The Durham Initiative for Stomach Health (DISH): a pilot community-basedHelicobacter pylorieducation and screening study

Background Approximately 15% of all cancers are due to infection. The bacteriaHelicobacter pyloriis the single leading carcinogenic infectious agent and the main cause of stomach cancer. Prevalence ofH. pylori, and, correspondingly, stomach cancer incidence and mortality, is significantly greater among African Americans than whites in the United States. In the present study, we conducted a pilot community-engagedH. pylorieducation and screening study in partnership with a predominantly African American church in Durham, North Carolina. Methods Initially, we consulted with community advisory boards and convened stakeholder meetings with local community members and primary care physicians. We then developed this pilot study through an iterative collaboration with church partners. Our main outcomes were feasibility and acceptability as measured by participation in a one-dayH. pyloriscreening initiative, and participation in follow-up for those who tested positive. We also sought to determine prevalence and determinants of activeH. pyloriinfection in this population. Results Community engagement informed the event logistics, messaging, educational materials provided, and follow-up plans. A total of 92 individuals participated in the primary study event, 25% of whom had a currentH. pyloriinfection. Of those, 87% returned for the follow-up events, among whom 70% had successfully cleared their infection. Conclusions Through community engagement, community-basedH. pyloriscreening and stomach cancer prevention is feasible and acceptable. This is a necessary step in order to move stomach cancer prevention forward to population-based precisionH. pyloriscreening and eradication.