Distribution and associated factors of infection among dyspeptic patients in the centre region of Cameroon: A cross-sectional study

Background Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) is a major cause of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastric cancer. Although H. pylori is highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, data on dyspeptic patients in Cameroon’s Centre Region are scarce. This study aimed to determine the distribution of H. pylori infection across key sociodemographic and behavioural subgroups, and to identify factors associated with H. pylori infection, among dyspeptic patients attending selected health facilities in the Centre Region of Cameroon. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among dyspeptic patients attending outpatient departments at the referral health facilities of Yaoundé in the Centre Region of Cameroon from April to July 2024. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and clinical features were collected using a structured questionnaire. Active H. pylori infection was assessed using the rapid stool antigen diagnostic test. Descriptive analysis were performed to estimate the prevalence and describe its distribution across sociodemographic and behavioural subgroups. Factors associated with H. pylori infection were assessed by estimating crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs). Results A total of 419 patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 33.5 years (SD ± 18.3 years). The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 51.1%. In the univariable analysis, participants aged 15–25 years and 26–49 years had higher odds of H. pylori infection than those aged 0–4 years (crude OR = 3.53; 95% CI: 1.44–8.64; p = 0.006 and crude OR = 2.62; 95% CI: 1.13–6.05; p = 0.024, respectively). However, after adjustment, no variable remained independently associated with H. pylori infection (all adjusted p-values > 0.05). Conclusion H. pylori infection remains highly prevalent in patients with dyspepsia in the Centre Region of Cameroon. However, after adjusting for confounders, no independent factors associated with H. pylori infection were identified. Further studies are needed to identify unmeasured factors that may contribute to H. pylori transmission in this population.