What is the general Chinese public’s awareness of and attitudes towardsHelicobacter pyloriscreening and associated health behaviours? A cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo evaluate the general population’s awareness of and attitudes toward Helicobacter pylori (HP) screening and health behaviours.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingHengyang, Hunan Province, China.ParticipantsUsing stratified cluster random sampling, a pretested structured questionnaire was used to interview members of the general population aged ≥18 years.Primary and secondary outcome measuresKnowledge of and attitudes toward HP screening and associated health behaviours, sociodemographic factors associated with HP knowledge, and screening behaviours.ResultsThis study featured 1042 participants. The average knowledge score was 11 (QL=4, QU=20, range 0–29). Approximately 68.9% of the participants said they had heard of HP, but 67.5% had never had an HP test. The most common reasons for not undergoing screening were ‘no symptoms’ (55.7%) and ‘lack of knowledge regarding the benefits of the test’ (21.1%). Independent factors related to knowledge included age, education level, occupation, HP infection, frequency of drinking unboiled water (p<0.05). Factors independently associated with screening behaviour included occupation, average monthly income, presence/absence of indigestion, stomach discomfort or pain, and/or stomach disease and knowledge score (p<0.05). Overall, 941 (90.3%) participants never used anti-HP toothpaste, and 442 (40.5%) never used serving spoons or chopsticks. The risk factors for HP infection included eating out and eating in groups (p<0.05).ConclusionIn China, the general population has poor knowledge of HP, but most people have a positive attitude towards HP screening. Being asymptomatic and lacking knowledge about testing were the main reasons for reluctance to be screened. These results highlight the urgent need for educational activities to raise awareness, enhance screening rates for HP, and encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Knowledge and Attitude of Medical Students Towards Helicobacter pylori Infection and Its Prevention and Management: A Study From Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

“…The attitude statements that had higher mean scores were primarily associated with individuals' perspectives toward infectious diseases, such as the statement "Hand sanitation is important before eating to prevent H. pylori infection." In another recent Chinese study that targeted the people's awareness, the previous statement was properly answered by the general public [24]. On the other hand, attitude statements with diagnostic and treatment focus, such as "I think regular screening for H. pylori is useful," were the ones that challenged the students in this study.…”

Clinical practice of Helicobacter pylori infection management by gastroenterologists in secondary and tertiary hospitals: A stratified sampling cross‐sectional survey

“…Furthermore, we took the for H. pylori infection, and 96.3% were willing to receive eradication therapy when they tested positive. 19 The positive view of gastroenterologists was significantly lower than that of the general population.…”

“…Our study also indicated that gastroenterologists were not active in screening and treating patients with no competing factors for H. pylori eradication. A survey conducted by Wang et al demonstrated that 72.3% of the public in China were willing to test for H. pylori infection, and 96.3% were willing to receive eradication therapy when they tested positive 19 . The positive view of gastroenterologists was significantly lower than that of the general population.…”

“…Generally, gastroenterologists and their awareness of the therapy greatly affect their patients as the patients may ignore H. pylori eradication when asymptomatic. A survey conducted by Wang et al demonstrated that 55.7% of the public in China refused to test for H. pylori infection because of a lack of symptoms 19 . Notably, a Markov model showed that H. pylori eradication could reduce 15.60% and 9.62% of deaths in asymptomatic individuals from peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer, respectively 24 .…”

“…Generally, gastroenterologists and their awareness of the therapy greatly affect their patients as the patients may ignore H. H. pylori infection because of a lack of symptoms. 19 Notably, a Markov model showed that H. pylori eradication could reduce 15.60% and 9.62% of deaths in asymptomatic individuals from peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer, respectively. 24 The Taipei consensus recommended that H. pylori should be eradicated before the development of atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia to prevent gastric cancer.…”