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<i>Helicobacter pylori</i> Infection in Croatian Population: Knowledge, Attitudes and Factors Influencing Incidence and Recovery
oleh: Pavle Vrebalov Cindro, Josipa Bukić, Dario Leskur, Doris Rušić, Ana Šešelja Perišin, Joško Božić, Jonatan Vuković, Darko Modun
Format: | Article |
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Diterbitkan: | MDPI AG 2022-04-01 |
Deskripsi
Basic and clinical knowledge about <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> infections has been improved in the past. However, the translation of this knowledge into public health intervention has remained poor. A survey based cross-sectional study was performed to assess the factors regarding the <i>H. pylori</i> infection in the general population. The survey was conducted using a previously developed questionnaire, adapted for the population in Croatia. Respondents (N = 1131) had a good knowledge score with a median of 4 out of 5 correct answers (interquartile range: 2–4). Senior participants had a lower frequency of high knowledge answers about <i>H. pylori</i> (43.1%) compared to younger (56.1%) and middle-aged participants (51.5%, <i>p</i> = 0.014). Rural participants had a higher frequency of low knowledge answers compared to urban and suburban ones (21.7% vs. 9.5% and 9.4%, <i>p</i> = 0.011). Only 315 participants (27.9%) were screened for the <i>H. pylori</i> infection, despite high support for the screening programs among the untested (74.7%) and tested (85.7%). Habits of smoking (<i>p</i> = 0.036) and coffee drinking (<i>p</i> = 0.008) were associated with more symptoms after eradication therapy. Further education is needed for the groups at risk for <i>H. pylori</i> infection, especially to raise the awareness of the importance of screening programs. More research is warranted to assess the effects of dietary changes on therapy outcomes.