Prevalence, infection status and associated factors of H. Pylori among adult dyspeptic patients in Jalalabad, Afghanistan

Background: Helicobacter pylori is a globally prevalent chronic bacterial infection, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. Despite its significant gastrointestinal burden, epidemiological data from Afghanistan are limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, infection status, and associated factors of H. Pylori among adult dyspeptic patients in Jalalabad. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, from August 2023 to February 2024 among 363 adult dyspeptic patients. Cumulative H. pylori prevalence was defined by serum IgG and/or stool antigen positivity, active infection by stool antigen alone, and associated factors were identified using multivariable logistic regression (p < 0.05) analysis. Results: The cumulative prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was 79.1% (287/363), defined by combined serum IgG and/or stool antigen positivity. Infection status included chronic active infection (41.3%), acute infection (20.7%), prior exposure (17.1%), and non-infected status (20.9%). Independent factors associated with cumulative H. pylori infection were age ≥ 50 years (AOR = 6.50), married status (AOR = 3.90), low education (AOR = 2.20–5.80), multigenerational households (AOR = 7.30–7.50), crowded sleeping conditions (AOR = 2.30–4.50), family history of gastric disease (AOR = 8.90), low income (AOR = 4.80–9.20), and shared drinking glass use (AOR = 12.30). All associations were statistically significant (p ≤ 0.03). Conclusion: H. pylori affects 79.1% of dyspeptic adults in Jalalabad, with higher risk among older, married, low-education/income individuals, multigenerational households, crowded sleeping, shared drinking, or family history, highlighting the need for targeted interventions in this high-prevalence, resource-limited setting. Clinical trial: Not applicable.