School-based Hygiene Intervention to PreventHelicObacter Pyloriinfection among childrEn (SHIP HOPE): protocol for a cluster-randomised controlled trial

Abstract

IntroductionHelicobacter pyloriinfection rates are high in China and worldwide, and maintaining good hygiene is effective in preventingH. pyloriinfection. Childhood is a critical stage for developing good hygiene practices. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to explore whether a comprehensive hygiene intervention can preventH. pyloriinfection in primary schools in China.Methods and analysisThe School-based Hygiene Intervention to PreventHelicObacter Pyloriinfection among childrEn study is a cluster-randomised controlled trial, which will include approximately 2400 children in grades 2–4 from 60 classes in 10 primary schools of Linqu County, Shandong Province. Schools will be randomly assigned (1:1) via a computer-generated list, to receive either comprehensive hygiene intervention (intervention) or the usual health education lessons (control), with stratification by area (urban or rural). The interventions will include the following: (1) Children’s education: lessons and cartoon books designed to provide basic knowledge about hygiene,H. pylori, hand hygiene, diet and oral hygiene will be provided to children; (2) Caregiver’s education: children will be empowered to share hygiene-related knowledge with their caregivers as homework; caregivers will be also invited to the school for hygiene lessons; (3) School hygiene promotion: suggestions will be provided for improving the hygienic environment. Children in control schools will receive usual health education lessons according to the arrangements of each school. The primary outcome is the prevalence and incidence ofH. pyloriinfection among children at 1-year follow-up. The secondary outcomes areH. pyloriand hygiene knowledge, family eating customs and hygiene practices among children and their caregivers, as well as school absences owing to diarrhoea. Additionally, growth in children is set as an exploratory outcome. General linear mixed models will be used to analyse differences between the intervention and control schools.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval has been obtained from the Institution Review Board of Tsinghua University (No: 20220020). Written informed consent will be obtained from each child and one of their caregivers. The findings of this study will be actively disseminated through scientific publications and conference presentations.Trial registration numberChiCTR2200056191.

Controlling the Impact of Helicobacter pylori-Related Hyperhomocysteinemia on Neurodegeneration

“…Maintaining good hygiene is effective strategy in preventing H. pylori infection [ 60 ]. Likewise, maintaining good hygiene (oral) is an effective strategy in improving the clinical condition of patients with AD [ 61 ].…”