OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and evaluate symptoms and factors associated with HP infection in bone marrow donors, in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: 248 healthy individuals from urban sites of São Paulo, answered a questionnaire on social and housing conditions in childhood and adult life, as well as clinical gastrointestinal background and main risk factors. Blood samples were collected and serum was tested using a validated ELISA assay. RESULTS: HP prevalence was 48.8%, 95% CI=[45.6; 52.0]. In the univariate analysis, significant associations were found between HP seroprevalence and water supply (p=0.040), maternal (p=0.005) and individual education (p<0.001). Multiple analysis has shown that maternal and individual education were independent risk factors for the infection. CONCLUSIONS: The results have shown that São Paulo's urban sites provided with water supply and sewage systems have similar HP prevalence as industrialized countries. The main risk factors for HP infection were maternal and individual education, which suggests that hygiene and personal habits are determinant to the infection.
Helicobacter pylori; Epidemiology; Adults; Seroepidemiologic studies; Prevalence
