Abstract
High incidence of H. pylori infection in Libya is alarming. Thus, intensive epidemiological studies on H. pyloriprevalence are crucial. There are few epidemiological and prevalence studies on H. pylori from large cities ofLibya. Moreover, there are lack of studies in small Libyan towns. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determinethe prevalence of H. pylori and its associated risk factors in the North-west city of Libya, Zaltan and its surroundingareas. Our study was conducted on symptomatic and asymptomatic participant patients. Socioeconomic, lifestyle,and gastrointestinal characteristics of patients were collected through a prepared questionnaire alongside with stoolsamples analysis. A total of 69 participants were included in this study and were tested for H. pylori using the stoolantigen test (SAT). The result showed that 45% was H. pylori SAT positive with a significant relation between H.pylori infection and age (p < 0.05). The infection was higher among female 46 (66.6 %) and most positive resultwas among 10-11 years old 16 (23.18%). Food and drinking water hygiene has correlation with transmission ofinfection (p < 0.05). Significantly, 87% of positive H. pylori SAT patients suffered from chronic gastrointestinalsymptoms. Among other chronic illness anemia was significantly related to the infection incidence (p < 0.05)while cardiovascular and diabetes mellitus were not significantly related. Lifestyle and financial statussignificantly influenced the infection incidence trend with more important of personal and food hygiene (p < 0.05).Based on the outcomes the study, we suggest that people and public health authorities should consider to applyworthy preventive measures food hygiene in particular against H. pylori infection transmission.