Abstract
Background and Objectives: Helicobacter pylori is the most common bacterial infection affecting more than 50% of the population globally, especially in developing countries, while data on its prevalence in Yemen is still limited. Therefore, the current study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence and risk factors of H. pylori among school students in Sana'a city, Yemen. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in primary and secondary schools in Sana'a during the period from October to December 2021 in which two hundred and ninety-three (293) school students aged 11-21 years were enrolled in this study and tested for H. pylori in blood specimens by using a cassette Rapid antibody test. Associated risk factors were collected through a designed questionnaire. Result: Overall, H. pylori antibody was positive in 82/293(27.99%) students. The higher rate of seroprevalence of H. pylori antibodies was reported among male students (29.25%; P˃0.05), age group of 16-21 years (33.69%; P ˂0.05), and secondary students in schools (31.66%; P ˂0.05). Also, the highest rate of H. pylori infection was positive among students who drank untreated water (32.61%), consuming of unwashed vegetables (28.71%) and fruits (30.51%), not been infected previously (28.45%), one of their family infected (28.98%), sometimes eating out of home (32.47%), and non-use antibiotics (29.12%) and there was non-statistical significant difference (P ˃0.05). In addition, there were no significant relationships between seropositivity of H. pylori and clinical signs and symptoms as well as antibiotic use. Finally, most of the students with blood group (O) had H. pylori antibodies (P ˃0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the increasing rate of H. pylori among school students will become a real serious health problem if it is not monitored. Therefore, an effective educational health program is important for the prevention and control of H. pylori infection among school students. Peer Review History: Received: 26 February 2022; Revised: 18 March; Accepted: 22 April, Available online: 15 May 2022 Academic Editor: Dr. Emmanuel O. Olorunsola, Department of Pharmaceutics & Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Uyo, Nigeria, olorunsolaeo@yahoo.com UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency.  Received file:                                Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 5.5/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 7.0/10 Reviewers: Prof. Dr. Hassan A.H. Al-Shamahy, Sana'a University, Yemen, shmahe@yemen.net.ye Dr. Nkechi Obiofu Ezenobi, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, nkechi.ezenobi@uniport.edu.ng Similar Articles:   SEROPOSITIVITY OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS AMONG DYSPEPETIC PATIENTS PREVALENCE OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI AMONG ASYMPTOMATIC POPULATIONS IN SANA'A, YEMEN