Abstract
Background: Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that causes chronic gastritis and is linked to GI diseases, including cancers. Effective treatment and preventive measures depend on understanding the nature of HP infection, how it spreads, and the health risks involved. University students are a group of young adults with higher receptivity toward knowledge and are more influential in disseminating information. Raising awareness of HP among university students, family, prospective family, and friends will benefit, thereby reducing the incidence of HP infection and relieving medical and financial stress. However, to date, awareness research regarding HP infection among university students is scarce. In South Africa, although HP infection is widespread, there is no research to examine the level of knowledge and attitude of university students toward HP infection.
Aim: This study aims to determine the levels of knowledge and attitude toward HP infection among university students in South Africa.
Methods: A cross-sectional study used primary data from the students across various faculties at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) during the year 2024. Frequency and percentages were used to describe the students’ demographic characteristics and lifestyle habits. The chi-square test was used to assess the significant differences among students who were and were not aware of the HP infection using a p-value of ≤ 0.05 at a 95% CI. Total knowledge and attitude levels were categorized (Good and Poor) and compared between the students’ demographic factors. The study employed cross-tabulation to ascertain the variables linked to the students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding HP infection, including differences between Health Science students and non-health science students. An adjusted regression model was not possible due to the results of the crude logistic regression model and the low sample numbers.
Results: The analysis showed that 409 students participated in the survey, with a response rate of 82.7%. Most students were from Wits (310 students), and 99 were from UJ. The overall knowledge of HP infection among students shows a clear distinction between those who were aware (37.4%; n=153) and those who were not (62,5%; n=256), with significant differences between health science and non-health science students (p-value = 0.000). The results revealed that 69.2% (n=106) of the students demonstrated good knowledge, while 83.0% (n=127) exhibited a good attitude toward the HP infection. The field of specialty is the only factor that impacted students' knowledge and attitudes toward HP infection (OR 3.55).
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Conclusion: Knowledge and attitude of Helicobacter pylori among university students in South Africa is still a public health concern. Our results demonstrated that students from the two universities in South Africa have insufficient awareness of HP infection, especially students from non-health specialties, and there is still a need to improve the depth and accuracy of knowledge among the students who were aware of the infection. Factors like age, education level, specialty, and eating habits are significantly associated with students' awareness of HP. Improving the awareness, screening rate, and eradication rate of HP among university students might be a practical approach to reducing gastric ulcers and cancer incidence as well as the financial burden on the South African population.